
Times of transformation bring forth great
new possibilities and at the same time they
disrupt life in ways that challenge us to our
core. The last couple of years have taken a
huge toll on people’s lives and as a result on
churches and other non-profit organizations.
Fund raising is at an all time high and giving is at an all-time
low. In Unity we believe that God is our Source and good
stewardship is our spiritual responsibility. Through your
generous gifts, through fund raising efforts and diligent
and careful management and the occasional miracle our
ministry has stayed afloat. However, we have experienced
two years of declining income and attendance. At
the Annual Meeting in March, the membership adopted the
annual budget with the provision that if after three months
we were not realizing an increase in income, it would be
necessary to make essential and radical cutbacks in
spending. We are now at that three month point and we
must take strong and immediate action to reduce our
expenses.
The first level of cutbacks will total more than $35,000 over
the next nine months. Our actual physical-plant operating
costs have been reduced as much as is possible. As a
result, the current cuts must be made in our staff and
services. On Sunday, July 11 we will eliminate one of our
services and combine the two services into one Sunday
worship service at 10:00 A.M. Eliminating staff and cutting
salaries is truly one of the hardest things I have ever done
in ministry. Our staff serves the needs of our congregation
with loving dedication and a tireless commitment. We
offer them our deepest gratitude and enfold them in our
love as we make these changes.
Joan and I are each taking salary cuts. Peggy Eadie will
retire in September and will not be replaced; our accountant
Charlotte Fay’s hours will be decreased; hours for
Mary Fenger, Sound Technician and Jennifer Somerville,
Volunteer Coordinator, will be reduced.
The music department will experience the great loss of
musical staff members: Katie Ingersoll, our long-time 9
A.M Soloist and Bill Hunter, our long-time 9 A.M Drummer;
Peter Hernandez, Music Director at 11 A.M and Greg Leroy,
Guitarist at 11 A.M. Along with this loss, Noreen Brokke,
Music Director at 9:00 A.M and Woody DeMarco, 11 A.M
Pianist, will share one salary and share responsibility for
the Sunday services - Noreen will continue to lead the choir
and create special programs. Two members of the 11 A.M
band, Rene Martinez, Drummer, and Zak Kopeikin, Bass,
will be part of the one service plan. We are reducing the
music budget approximately $30,000 by making these
changes. Learning how to make it work will require a great
cooperative effort. Everyone has preferences about music;
we’re undergoing a transformation and we appreciate your
patience.
Following the announcement of these changes this past
Sunday – there was feedback coming from all directions –
“Why this, why not that?” “Great! we’ll all be together on
Sundays.” “It’s not fair.” “I’m not coming back.” “I like it.”
“I don’t like it.” “Good for you!” “It will be great!” “It will
be horrible!” Everyone has their preferences. Your
Minister and Board of Trustees prayerfully, consciously and
with total dedication to the ministry and our congregation,
believe that as we streamline our operation to meet this
time of economic challenge we will come together as a staff
and congregation with renewed vision and vitality, which
will inspire new growth and possibility in the heart of the
Church. Together we can do great things. Some of these
changes are very painful, and there may be more to come.
But we choose to see these changes as a powerful step
forward in uniting our energies and remembering why
we’re here – working together to fulfill the great promise
and possibility that is Unity of Santa Barbara. Through the
teachings of Unity we help people change their lives for the
better.
Please join me in holding the congregation and one another
in prayer as we rise to meet the changes and the opportunities
before us. You are each in my heart and in my prayers
as you realize the impact of these changes in your lives.
Thank you for your generous support and cooperation
during this time of transformation. I will count on you to
offer the same level of dedication to the ministry that you
always have.
God is blessing us now!
