This year’s Annual Business Meeting brings a refreshed perspective. As we celebrate the abundant successes of our Fellowship’s initiatives, we also recognize an opportunity: several leadership roles remain open, offering more members the chance to step into service. In response, the Board, in conjunction with the Nominating Committee, have decided  that a second Business Meeting in September to address this shortfall is warranted. This extension helps our leadership teams represent our congregation’s diverse talents and passions, aiming to overcome this temporary setback.  The tentative date for this meeting will be mid-September, with more announcement’s forthcoming.

(See slideshow at the end for overview of what we have accomplished, also covered in this text)

The Role of Ministry in Committee Collaboration

At the heart of our Fellowship’s functioning is the ministry, which serves as both a spiritual guide and a connecting force across all AUUF committees. Under the leadership of Rev. Marti—first as a ¼-time minister, and now at ½-time—our committees found renewed energy, clearer direction, and meaningful support. The Bridge Lay Ministry program further exemplified our commitment to compassionate leadership through transitions and the promoting of Lay members to serve in roles critical to the successful promotion and education of all our members through structured and critical education directed by the Minister.

The Committee on Ministry’s evaluation work emphasized how interdependent our congregational committees are. By examining the health and structure of the Congregational Support Committee, they brought valuable insights that extended across the organization, from RE to Social Action and beyond. The Com’s insightful and collaborative work with the Congregational Support Committee was insightful and deliberate and will serve as a template for moving forward in the evaluations of our other committees and how they approach their work.

Stepping Forward: A Joyful Invitation to Serve

A thriving Fellowship flourishes when its members bring forward their talents and time in joyful service. Each committee, each act of volunteering, no matter how small, contributes to the tapestry of our shared mission. Now is a wonderful moment for each of us to consider how we might lend our hands, our voices, and our presence to strengthen AUUF’s vibrant and growing community.

Committee Highlights from 2024–2025

• The Communications Committee has begun work on the redesign of our website and improved social media outreach. The transformation has been truly remarkable thanks to a great working group both in committee meetings and behind the scenes. Great news travels fast and this group is keen on keeping us all informed up to the minute.
• The Religious Exploration (RE) Committee completed another strong year, including a successful OWL program. I want to express my personal thanks to all the members and facilitators on the [RE] Committee for their hard work and willingness to step up and take charge of the program when the vacancy of the DRE  took place towards the end of the calendar year. That shortfall will be a temporary one, as the position has so much to offer both the students as well as those tasked with its success. Hats off to the coordinators and teachers of this year’s OWL program. Much was expected and gratefully much received by our exceptional instructors both in and out of the classroom throughout the school year.
• Social Action efforts brought visibility through events, partnerships, and our ‘Giving of the Plate’ outreach. According to our most recent accounting, our Giving of the Plate activities raised close to 15,000 for 34 different charities voted upon by our own members. The Social Action Committee has been instrumental in informing and leading our members in a wide array of common causes in the community and we are looking for even more interaction with the new members who have graciously agreed to take up the torch and illuminate our way into the future.
• Our choir will be attending the Unitarian Universalist Associations Music Ministry  in Atlanta later this summer,  reflecting artistic and spiritual growth as well as sharing their own fellowship with each other through their selfless work in preparation for their  performances for us throughout the year.
• Dianna’s Pantry continued its steady support for food-insecure households within our Fellowship. Our “pantry-powered superheroes” were able to raise over 5,000.00 in monetary donations as well as countless numbers of canned and other essential food stuff for those in need within our fellowship. Working closely with the Congregational Support Committee, members in need are identified and supported with dignity and kindness as family members.  Their offer of a hand up- not a handout, demonstrates the true power of our fellowship, which shines brightly with the simplest acts of kindness and caring wherever the need arises. Some of the words used by the beneficiaries of this program were, stable support, relief from the storm, a life vest for troubled waters, nutritious sustenance, Thanksgiving year-round, uplifting and how this has been such a blessing to those in need in a purely dignified and loving gesture.
• Collaborations with groups like the First Universalist Church in Camp Hill led to powerful events such as Trans -Awareness Day and twin memorial services for our dearly departed Camillia Hirschell.
• Committees led and supported AUUF’s presence at CityFest, Opelika Pride, and the “Pride on the Plains” events. Our Fellowship was also well represented at protest marches and other events led by Indivisible to show support and alliance with public displays of resistance to the illegitimate misuse of Executive powers within our State and the Nation as well.
• Action Teams were formed to support short-term needs and projects, building momentum across ministries.
• Podcast content creation expanded our reach beyond Sunday mornings.

A Strong Canvass, a Strong Future

Thanks to the generosity of our members and friends, the 2024–2025 canvass exceeded expectations. We were able to maintain staff levels and increase compensation to reflect UUA sustainable wage guidelines—all without dipping into our reserves. Most importantly, we are entering the next fiscal year with no program cuts or service reductions, which stands in contrast to the difficult decisions faced by many other UU congregations in our own geographical sphere.

Looking Forward with Hope and Commitment

We move forward with hearts full of gratitude and eyes lifted toward possibility. Our Fellowship has shown remarkable creativity, generosity, and resilience this year. Let us carry that momentum into the coming months as we continue to shape a community where love is our doctrine, service is our prayer, and we journey together toward justice and joy.

With Heartfelt Allegiance to our Fellowship.

Randy Melius

President, AUUF Board of Trustees