What a year 2019 was at the UU Church of Akron. We shared in some very meaningful worship services, installed new windows and solar panels, celebrated as Edwin and Antonio were able to safely leave sanctuary, and bid farewell to Rich Roberts and Bob Carlyon, who served our congregation for 23 and 20 years respectively. I cannot thank Rich and Bob enough for their ministry and we wish them all the best in their retirement.
As eventful as the previous year has been, I have no doubt that 2020 will be another fabulous year at the UU Church of Akron. We are very pleased to welcome Keyboard Artist, Brian Laakso, as our Acting Director of Music. Brian will continue to share his considerable gifts as a Keyboard Artist and bring his creative vision to our music program.
In addition to the music program, Acting DRE, Abby L’Bert, will continue to guide our outstanding religious education program for children and youth. I have been so pleased to see so many new families with young children and I know that Abby’s leadership and Carolyn Stevens’ outstanding work as our RE Assistant have played a key role in bringing those families in and helping them feel welcome.
I am also very excited about the continued growth of our ministries as well as new opportunities we will be pursuing. For example, we will be working towards recertification of our Welcoming Congregation ministry, extending our outreach to local immigrants, and offering classes and other programs about racial justice. We will also be making a significant push to make the church more accessible by joining a denominational program called AIM (Accessibility and Inclusivity Ministry). We will hold a service about AIM on January 12 so please join us.
As we begin a new year together, I hope your lives are blessed with good health, with friendship, and with great, great love. We are so grateful that you have chosen to share your precious lives with this church community and we look forward to continuing the journey.
Rev. Tim