A History of Our Fellowship

Introduction

     It has been many years since 1981, when the UUFVB congregation first met in private homes and at the YMCA.  That forming spirit is still with us: as our numbers reach 160; we continue to fulfill the words of our third president, Ken Spear: “Momentum has been established for a Vero beachhead of a religion of the free mind.  From our small beginnings we can and will form a vital society of like-minded people–free of creed and dogma–united in the search for truth.”

     Our community has grown from the commitment and dedication of our many members over the years: nurturing and teaching each other and our children; reaching out with care and support for our community; sharing the bonds of friendship and the freedom to be diverse, responsive, generous, welcoming–living and growing together.  May this history pass on not only the record of our past, but also the traditions that live at the heart of our beloved community.

     It all began with Shirley Hatchfield St. John, who was driving to the nearest UU congregation, in Fort Pierce, with her brother and sister one Sunday when she mentioned that she wished there were a congregation in Vero Beach.  Her brother suggested she form one by contacting the extension chairman of the Florida District of the UUA.  Working with the District, she placed an ad in the Vero Beach Press-Journal, and the first meeting was held at Shirley’s home on April 5, 1981, with about 15 present.

Chronology:

     1981-82:  Shirley St. John placed a newspaper ad in the Press-Journal on March 13, 1981.  Organizational meetings were held in private homes.  Formal services began at the YMCA on Jan. 9, 1982.  The charter from the UUA was received in March 1982.  We had 18 charter members.  The first newsletter was published, with Ken Spear as editor.  We bought our first coffee pot and met through April.

     1982-83:  Services were held from Oct. 3 to May 8 at the YMCA, now called Leisure Square, and later at the Woman's Club.  The first women's group was organized.  Our congregation was recognized as a UUA Honor Society for the first time.  We became affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association.  We had 29 members by the spring of 1982.  In February 1983 we appointed our first part-time minister.

     1983-84:  Services were held from October 9 May 13 at the Woman’s Club.  Rev. Arthur Broadhurst, our first part-time minister, spoke twice a month through May, when he received an appointment in Boston.  We acquired our first hymnals from another congregation.  We celebrated our first United Nations Sunday and had our first memorial service (for Mark Morgan).  In March, we began providing four page formal Orders of Service.  The first semblance of a choir sang in April.  Three summer services were held in members’ homes.

     1984-85:  Services were held from Oct. 21-May 19 at the Woman's Club.  The first UUSC World Service Sunday was held and the first Guest at Your Table (GAYT) collection for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee was taken.  A Social Responsibility Committee was formed.  The first Christmas family giving was organized.  One member brought toys each Sunday in case any kids showed up In March, Karl Peters spoke at a Sunday service.  He, Ron Vierling and Tom Cook, all from the Orlando area, spoke at many services in the coming years.  We had our first Easter breakfast, first UUSC Community Service Sunday, and the start of the Fourth Friday Fellowships.

     1985-86:  Services were held from Oct. 20-May 25 at the Woman's Club.  Our first membership directory was published.  Our first P.A. system was donated.  We instituted permanent nametags and began newspaper ads.  We had our first Pledge Campaign, the first Flower Communion at Easter, and the religious education program finally began.  We celebrated our first child dedication ceremony.  Dessert Dialogues began (and ended). Three summer services were held in members' homes.

     1986-87:  Services were held from Oct. 19-May 31 at the Woman's Club.  Win Levi was president.  The fiscal year was re-set for July 1 through June 30, with the annual congregational meeting in March.  A large group attended the fall retreat at The Mountain.  Martin Luther King Sunday was first celebrated.  Women Out on Wednesday (WOW) began.  A Fellowship chorus was developing.  The Fort Pierce UU Society disbanded after 25 years.  Two summer services were held in members' homes.

     1987-88:  Services were held from Oct. 18-June 26 at the Woman's Club.  We had 74 members.  In October, a flaming chalice was presented in memory of K.C. Sloan.  We began passing the basket for the offering - prior to this, a basket was available for donations but was not passed during the services.  We gave a new name to the newsletter (In Vero Veritas) and had a new logo.  A study group on Central America was held using UUSC materials.  An announcements insert page for the Order of Service began.  UU Church in the Pines opened in Brooksville, Fla.  During Feb. 19-March 28, Jon Dobrer served as our minister on loan.  For the first time, attendance exceeded 100.  In the spring, both Sharing of Sustenance and Skills and Care Bank were started.  A UUFVB phone was installed, a library was started, and we had three summer services at the Woman's Club for the first time.  The congregation received the James Luther Adams award from UUSC for a gift from the Fellowship budget.

     1988-89:  Services were held from Sept. 11-June 25 at the Woman's Club.  Joan Seeley was president.  A ministerial search process began.  Men Out for Breakfast (MOB) began.  We had our first Cultural Arts Sunday, our first Every Member Canvass, and our first Fellowship Thanksgiving Dinner.  Dinners for 8 (now Circle Dinners) began.  A choir started in earnest.  We had three summer services.

     1989-90:  Services were held from Sept. 10 June 24 at the Woman's Club.  We had 120 members.  We held Sharing of Sustenance benefiting the Community Outreach Group (COG) and Our Father's Table Soup Kitchen.  Charter member Ken Spear died.  Second Saturday on the Beach (SOB) - a beach cleanup project of the Social Responsibility Committee - began.  The search for a new minister ended in a close vote rejecting the proposed candidate.  We had four summer services.

     1990-91:  Services were held from Sept. 2-June 30 at the Woman's Club.  Interim minister Dr. Janet Newman served us.  A UUFVB office was opened on 14th Avenue.  “Lunch with the Minister” began.  We dedicated a needlepoint by Joan Seeley of world religious symbols.  Members made the first Fellowship banner, and we had our first Christmas Eve service.  Our first wedding ceremony was held.  We retired WOW and began the Women’s Alliance.  After another Candidating Week, we selected Richard Speck as our first full-time minister.  We moved from the Woman’s Club to a larger Sunday services venue at Thompson Elementary School for the sake of religious education program as well as to allow for anticipated growth.  Four people attended GA.  Four summer services were held at Thompson.

     1991-92:  Services were held at the J.A. Thompson Elementary School from Sept. 1-June.  Our first settled minister, Dr. Richard Speck, was installed Nov. 17, 1991, with many state and local dignitaries present at ceremonies at Bethel Creek House.  The first Alliance Silent and Service Auction was held.  This has become the Fellowship’s leading fund-raiser, other than pledges.  Joan Seeley made coverings for the lectern and table.  New office furniture was purchased, including a desk in memory of Ken Spear.  We re-started “sharing of joys and concerns” and started the “hand of friendship.”  The congregation had its first banner for the GA held in Hollywood, Fla.  We had services year-round, and four summer services were held at Thompson.

     1992-93:  Services were held at Thompson School from Sept. 6 through June 27.  The first Homecoming Water Communion was held.  The search for property began.  Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) was formed for the youth.  A Florida District meeting was held in Vero for the first time.  The Alliance began selling used books.  Our first computer was donated.  Singing the Living Tradition hymnals arrived in May.  The owner of a 2-½-acre property at 355 43rd Avenue accepted our offer of $175,000, and we purchased the Fellowship House and property.  The first pictorial membership directory was produced.  Two of our members attended General Assembly.  Four summer services were held at the Woman’s Club.

     1993-94:  Services were held beginning Sept. 5, now to be continued year-round.  Nancy Johnson went on staff as the first part-time director of religious education.  Documents for our new property were signed on Sept. 22, 1993, leading to long months of frustration as renovations were made to the former private home, necessary to receiving a certificate of occupancy for a place of worship.  Meanwhile, we continued services at Thompson Elementary School.  We started a Young Religious Unitarian Universalists group.  Three days after closing, furniture was moved in to the new Fellowship House from our 14th Avenue office and from other storage spaces, and our office was officially at the new location.  Offices for the new director of religious education and treasurer were soon in place.  Hurricane Andrew needs were answered with physical and financial assistance.  On Nov. 7, following worship service at Thompson, those attending adjourned to Fellowship House for tours and refreshments.  Late member Charles Semmelman’s piano and organ were donated to the Fellowship.  We hosted our first Cluster meeting (a multi-county UU group within the state) in October.  A book discussion group began.  A program of giving via citrus purchases began.  We began in February 1994 what was to be a three-year planning period before our new sanctuary was to be ready for occupancy.  A pulpit was given in memory of Carl Arnott, and a roadside sign, in memory of Bob Buchholz. Following the July 12 service at Thompson, the congregation left the building carrying UUFVB possessions and processed by motorcade to the new facility.  On June 19, the first Sunday service was held in Fellowship House.

     1994-95:  We got our first fax machine and participated in our first Cropwalk.  Double services were begun to accommodate our growing snowbird population.  Religious Education Director Nancy Johnson moved away and was replaced by Carole Roberts.  On Feb. 5, the Fellowship House was dedicated under a huge tent outside the building; UU President John Buehrens was keynote speaker, and there were many Florida UU ministers and local dignitaries present.  Architect John Dean was hired to do preliminary planning for an additional building to seat 150, expandable to 250.  The children made an RE banner featuring a felt chalice and painted handprints.  We began facility rentals.  An endowment fund was approved.  A mission statement was created which reads: “The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach serves as a home for those in sympathy with the UUA principles and purposes.  As a caring community, we gather to seek the truth, search for meaning in life and promote spiritual growth.  We respect and encourage diversity within our Fellowship.  We commit ourselves to working toward a more peaceful and just society.”  The Susan Renk Memorial Garden that was dedicated for the placement of the ashes of deceased members.  Four Sunday services were held in the summer of 1995.  We outgrew space in the new House immediately, so went to double services in the House at 10 and 11:30 a.m. - the choir sang at both.  We held our second Seder.

     1995-96:  Popcorn Theology, in which members view a Hollywood or other film and then discuss its moral issues, began in July.  The Social Responsibility Committee’s prize-winning community services brochure also won a $1,000 UU grant for revising and reprinting.  The Winters Wonderland playground was established.  The first UUFVB Golf Outing was held.  The capital fund drive was begun for the new Fellowship Hall.  A by-laws change mandated the election of a president-elect, who would move into the presidency a year later, and the following year continue to serve on the board as past president.  Full summer services were resumed.  The mortgage on Fellowship house was down to $30,000.  We felt frustrated, as the House was full at 40 people.  Fourth Friday was very active.  We always felt like a family.  Win Levi continued the “Hello, Friend” greetings.  We hosted the Florida District Assembly in April 1995-96.

     1996-97:  The first young person completed the Coming of Age program and subsequently became the first UUFVB junior member.  In October, Director of Religious Education Carole Roberts resigned, and parents took over the RE program once again.  The first blessing of the animals service was held.  In November, the bank mortgage was paid off, thanks to the issuance of promissory notes held by members.  On Jan. 26, ground was broken for our new sanctuary.  In February, a first musical fund-raiser open to the community featured UU singer Jim Scott.  On March 29, a send-off potluck supper was held to honor Rev. Richard Speck, who would be on sabbatical from April through October.  At the end of June, Frank Acitelli, the general contractor for our new Fellowship Hall, passed away.  His family continued the project, with architect John Dean supervising.  A variety of office and kitchen equipment was donated for the Hall.

     1997-98:  With Rev. Richard Speck on sabbatical, the congregation enjoyed sermons by other Florida UU ministers as well as members of the congregation.  Construction was completed at a cost of about $350,000, and the certificate of occupancy for the new Fellowship Hall was finally received.  A new Sunday service time of 10 a.m. was approved.  On July 20, we moved into our new sanctuary with a special “crossover” ceremony, moving mid-service with a few token chairs from the House to the Hall, complete with the trumpet sounds of "Triumphant Procession," by Richard Strauss.  We even had a new sound system.  A meditation deck was installed with funds from the Dorothy Morgan Fund.  A digital hymnal was purchased with funds from the Walsh Fund.  Member Randy Comstock, who designed and constructed the kitchen cabinetry for the new kitchen, also made a dedication plaque for the Hall.  A listening-assistance system was installed.  A Fellowship orchestra and the BUUmers group (for baby-boomer-generation UUs) were formed, as was an Inter-faith Dialogue group (started by Richard Speck and Rabbi Fred Raskind).  Landscaping was begun.  The Hall was dedicated on Feb. 15 with new District Executive Mary Higgins as keynote speaker.  The event was crowded; everyone felt connected to everyone present.  Membership was around 100 regular members.  The Alliance at its February meeting voted to give the Fellowship $1,799 more from its fund-raising activities.  A second pictorial directory was produced.  A planning session was held, with 35 members projecting plans through 2003, including a paid staff and a membership of 200.  The congregation was awarded the Vision of Justice banner by UUSC for having more than 50 percent of its members contribute to UUSC at a membership level.  The congregation also continued to receive the UUSC James Luther Adams award for a gift from the budget.

     1998-99:  The Emmanuel AME Zion Church began meeting on Sunday afternoons at the House.  A cassette tape presentation for visitors was created to acquaint them with our Fellowship and UU history.  Recordings of services were now available.  The minister stepped in as choir director.  Hand-held microphones were now in use for sharing joys and concerns and after-sermon commentary.  Rev. Richard Speck told the October board meeting that we would have an openly gay man as Sunday service pulpit speaker.  The first musical fund-raiser open to the community that was held in the new Hall featured UU singer Jim Scott.  In November, the East Central Cluster meeting was held in Vero.  An Interweave chapter was started.  In February, the Long-Range Planning Committee held one of its spaghetti dinners, soliciting input from the congregation on wishes for the future.  In March, a Spring Fling rummage sale raised some funds.  In May, UUFVB hosted the first District Spirituality Conference for youth and adults.  Rev. Richard Speck co-chaired the Florida District Extension Committee and served on the Southern Regional Subcommittee on Candidates.  We sent a member to Unitarian Universalist Leadership School.  The congregation was invited to fill out Life Crisis Forms, so that the minister would know details needed dealing with an emergency involving members of the congregation, such as whom to notify, etc.

     1999-2000:  Bob Webber served as president.  We got an e-mail address - uufvb@juno.com - and we started paying for lawn service.  The Committee Fair was instituted, with representatives of each committee being available to sign up new members for their committees.  Funds were raised for an electric piano/keyboard.  A cookbook fundraising project was started.  Members of the Alliance crafts group participated in the Heritage Center Market.  The Fellowship, which has been donating clothes for migrant laborers donated by the Fellowship to the Midlands Christian Migrant Association, was told, “Your people never forget us.”  A survey of the congregation on satisfaction with Fellowship programs found social activities, building maintenance, pastoral care and humanitarian living winning top plaudits.  The Rev. Richard Speck reported that, in the past year, we had added 26 new members to the congregation.  In March, a new program director, Julie Stephenson, was hired.  Also in March, Spaghetti Supper III was held, introducing the five-year plan compiled following meetings at various members’ homes.  The proposed 2000-2001 budget ran into opposition at the annual meeting, because expenditures exceeded anticipated revenue by $9,032.  However, the budget was passed provisionally, with the condition that a Task Force be formed to come up with the added money.  Then the financial picture changed when Rev. Speck resigned to assume the role of district executive for the Joseph Priestley District.  Also resigning was Julie Stephenson.  A revised budget finally passed in October 2000.  No interim minister was immediately available.  A coping-with-loss support group was formed.  A delegation attended the Florida District Annual Assembly in Orlando.  The Alliance held its last official meeting in May 2000.

     2000-2001:  Due to Richard Speck's resignation in June 2000, the Board met with Rev. Mary Higgins, the Florida district executive, to determine the next step.  The Board then presented three options to the congregation with the recommendation to begin the interim search process.  Many said that they were not sure about this and many of our members were still up north.  A letter was sent to all members, explaining the various options the congregation could seek.  A special congregational meeting was held on Oct. 1 to discuss everyone's concerns, pro and con.  A nearly unanimous decision was made to start the interim search process.  Unfortunately, because it was so late in the year, an interim minister was not available until the following year.  The congregation was lay-led by the Sunday Services Committee (now called Worship) for one year.  Because there was no minister to pay during 2000-2001, the emphasis of the Board was to pay off debt.  Our Whole Lives sexuality curriculum was begun.  A Flu Shot Clinic, open to the public, was held at the Fellowship Hall, with 150 getting shots.  A coffee house was started and, after a lengthy trial, later discontinued.  Garage sales, participation in Cropwalk, and the annual auction (the last raising more than $4,900) were successful.  A new Baby Grand Piano was purchased.  By this time a number of outside groups were using our facilities, including a family counselor, Emmanuel AME Zion Church, the Theatre Guild, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Metropolitan Church and Active Singles.  The Board of Trustees voted to look into possible future purchase of land next door for expansion.  The Interiors Committee was instructed to work toward improving acoustics in Fellowship Hall.  A budget was voted to include (again) a part-time RE director as well as a part-time office administrator.  The Rev. Don Vaughn-Foerster was called as interim minister, to begin in September 2001.  The Endowment Fund Committee was established after being re-mandated at the Annual Meeting.  The cookbook project was completed.

     2001-2002:  On Sept. 11, 2001, when Rev. Don Vaughn-Foerster had just arrived, the attack on the World Trade Center occurred.  Several special UUFVB services were held because of this attack, with the Rev. Don presiding.  At a special collection, $860 was contributed by UUFVB for disaster relief in New York City.  The following Dec. 16, Sunday Services Chairman Howard Masters introduced Sam Hassam, a Muslim, to speak from the Fellowship's pulpit.  Sept. 11, 2001, was also the date the Board voted to pay off $39,000 in outstanding notes.  The Endowment Fund received a $248,000 bequest from the estate of Florence and Carl Arnott, in addition to an earlier $25,000 outright gift to the Fellowship.  A Drug War Discussion Group began meeting.  A Fellowship Website was set up.  A new agreement on mortgage financing was reached with Indian River National Bank, for a mortgage totaling $76,663.62.  We had two part-time staff members: Claudia Jiménez as RE coordinator and Nancy Stiefel as office coordinator.  Thirty-five members made landscape improvements to the meditation bench area of the Memorial Garden at the Fellowship.  A Mother-Daughter Luncheon was held for Mother’s Day, followed by a Father-Son Luncheon several weeks later.  It was announced the Fellowship would begin collecting, for the Reusable Resource Recovery Center in Vero Beach, used containers and other items that children could fashion into craft items.  A Task Force on Building Needs was set up to study future expansion of the Fellowship.  The Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) organized a social action project to aid Safe Space, a community service aiding battered spouses and children.  We began purchasing the coffee served at the Fellowship, as well as bags of coffee available for sale to members, from Equal Exchange, a firm encouraging the survival of small coffee farmers through Fair Trade cooperatives.  A six-month ad hoc committee called Project Ephesians recommended roof work on the House.  Working with Facilities Management and the Interiors Committee, this committee helped with a lot more work on the Hall and the House.  The sanctuary was redecorated as authorized by the congregation, including (thanks to a gift from the defunct Alliance) a wood and mosaic tile chalice over the altar.  Other improvements in the Hall included a new pulpit, chairs, and table.  Among numerous other improvements were re-painting the House, a separate office for the RE coordinator and an air-conditioned storage room in a corner of the garage.  There was a special congregational meeting April 14, 2002, at which Rev. Gail Geisenhainer was called to become the permanent minister.  It was announced that Jack Stiefel of this congregation was honored nationally as one of four outstanding Unitarian Universalist Service Committee local representatives.

     2002-2003:  After almost two years of searching, the congregation began hearing Rev. Gail Geisenhainer lead the Sunday services as our full-time minister.  The president of the UUA, Rev. William Sinkford, was guest speaker at Rev. Gail’s installation ceremonies.  A Fellowship drama-reading group was begun.  Upon completion of Library refurbishment, it was announced that art by members and friends of the Fellowship would be displayed on the walls, in addition to children’s art already displayed in the Hall.  The congregation voted to put a new roof on the Fellowship House, the old one having deteriorated.  The Membership Committee introduced monthly meetings to teach new or potential members about the Fellowship.  The Religious Education Committee hosted an intergenerational Beach Cleanup.  The Religious Education Committee was renamed, by Board action, the Lifespan Religious Education (later Exploration) Committee.  The Social Justice Committee sponsored a free seminar on “Do the Workers Need a Voice?”  The First Annual H’UU’liday Ball was held in December.  Under the leadership of the Religious Education Committee, and with YRUU t-shirts, the congregation turned out in abundance to march in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in Gifford.  A new Communications Committee was formed, consolidating to some degree the communications media of the Fellowship.  At a special meeting on June 1, 2003, the Board authorized the Lifespan Religious Exploration Committee to raise funds for a new playground.

     2003-2004:  The Communications Committee began sending out a web version of the Order of Service on the Friday preceding the service.  A Discussion Group began meeting in the Library before Sunday services.  The first Cabaret “Playgrounds Café” was held to raise money for new playground equipment, needed because existing equipment was deteriorating.  The Fellowship began a continuing series of adult Lifespan Religious Exploration classes, such as one taught by Rev. Gail on “Separation of Church and State.”  It was arranged with District Executive Mary Higgins to lead a Long-Range Planning Retreat for the Council of Chairs.  The Westar Jesus Institute met here in March, with a large attendance including members and non-members of the Fellowship.  As the outcome of controversy that had lasted some time, the Board this year decided to continue to display the American flag in the Hall on certain “appropriate occasions,” including holidays or any such day as the minister or, in his/her absence, the president, shall deem appropriate.  Endowment Fund interest was used to erect an Endowment Fund plaque, carpeting for the House and installation and moving expenses for Rev. Gail.  (The Endowment Fund on other occasions has provided many other benefits.)  A new Fellowship group, the Day Trippers, was established and made its first visit was to the Norton Gallery in West Palm Beach.  Vinnie Biltimier took over as office coordinator.  At least 10 people from the congregation attended General Assembly in Boston.  Lee Page, a UU seminary student, worked with the Fellowship as an intern from September to June, working under the guidance of Rev. Gail in such fields as pastoral care, assisting and preaching during Sunday services, interdenominational affairs, committee familiarization, etc.  Parts of her expenses were paid out of the Endowment Fund.  Guest at Your Table (GAYT) collections from the congregation totaled $3,045, which meant that, with matching funds from the Shelter Rock Fellowship, the gift to the UUSC would be $5,740.  The Board voted to set up an ad hoc committee to assemble a handbook of policies of the board and committees.  This was to become the new Policies and Procedures Manual.  The Fellowship initiated a project of providing food, one evening a month, for between 30 and 60 residents at the Homeless Assistance Center.  “Liberty Circles,” a class open to the public, was held to engage people in thoughtful perspectives about U.S. Constitutional rights.  The drive for playground funds had netted a total, from various sources, of $13,000.  The Long-Range Planning Committee was reorganized and began meeting in May 2004. The congregation at the Annual Meeting voted Rev. Gail Geisenhainer $1,500 over and above the salary increase already approved by the Board.  A Personnel Committee was set up by the Board to oversee human resources.  The ad hoc Canvass Committee was changed to a Canvass Committee operating year-round.  A number of major revisions in the by-laws were approved at the Annual Meeting. Rev. Gail predicted a “tsunami of attendance” in the fall and said she was ready to hold two services on Sundays.  The Social Justice Committee was empowered by the congregation to administer grants amounting to up to 20 percent of fund-raising receipts to help support outside organizations in need.

     2004-2005:  Dick Haight was president. - A “World Religions” seminar by Rev. Gail and Pete Kersey drew a large attendance, including many from outside the Fellowship - Hurricane Frances and Hurricane Jeanne dealt two disastrous blows to the Treasure Coast area, but members responded by offering a wide variety of helping hands to the Fellowship, the rest of the congregation and the community.  Damage to the Fellowship itself was confined mostly to the landscaping and to some leakage in the office area, causing mold damage to furniture and rugs.  One of the Fellowship’s more visible aids to the community was a soup kitchen, for those who were without means of cooking for themselves. – The congregation gave a total of $3,520 for hurricane relief, including donations to the minister’s discretionary fund. – The Learning Team is using information gathered at two congregational Visioning Sessions to develop at 2010 view of the Fellowship. – The H’UU’liday Ball this year has been renamed “The H’UU’liday Survival Extravaganza.” - The Fellowship’s drama group, “Sunday Scenes” will present a reading of “The American Dream,” by Edward Albee. – Because of space limitations, the congregation on Jan. 9 went to two Sunday services, 8:30 and 11 a.m. – As the result of a critical letter to the editor printed in the Vero Beach Press-Journal, four members of the congregation called on the editor to protest. – The congregation voted in favor of the ordination of Lee Page, who interned with the Fellowship last year. – “Welcoming Congregation” workshops, aimed at greater understanding of gay, transgender and transsexual people, began on March 6 a monthly series. – On March 11 and 12, a large group from within and without the congregation attended the Jesus Seminar at the Fellowship, with outstanding scholars clarifying Jesus’ teachings. At a meeting on Sunday, Feb. 13, the congregation came together for “an important informational meeting regarding the purchase of the Destiny Center, at 16th Street and 27th Avenue.” The meeting also saw Bill Frey speak of his proposed celebrated speakers program, bringing inspirational speakers to the community. On April 24, the congregation voted 137-6 to sell the current property on 43rd Avenue and buy the Destiny Center for $1.64 million. They further authorized a loan not to exceed $1.2 million and a $300,000 line of credit. – The first Sunday service at the new home took place on June 5 with an auto caravan beginning at the 43rd Avenue Fellowship building. – The Board authorized a $500,000 Vision Campaign to assure the success of the purchase. – For the first time in some years, our annual pledges exceed our budget. – A committee was formed to seek a name and a logo for the new building. – On June 1, work began on stripping the wallpaper from parts of the new building and replacing it with paint.

     2005-2006:  Irwin Sadetsky was president. – In response to the disastrous tsunami, which took thousands of lives in the Far East, it was announced this congregation had raised $1,565 in relief funds. - Pete Kersey was hired as our first full-time office administrator. –The Fellowship decided to sponsor the first Theatre Guild play of the coming season, a musical spoof entitled “Something’s Afoot.” – The Fellowship instituted a new program offering Bed and Breakfast in the homes of members of UUFVB. - The Board of Trustees at its July 12 meeting approved creation of the Education Station to be operated by the Fellowship, headed by Shirley Prescott. –The Fellowship held a Welcoming Congregation Workshop, leading to our learning more about gays, homosexual and transgender persons. – Adult Sunday School classes beginning before services were introduced. – Kristeen O'Neal began work as our first paid sexton on Aug. 15. – Jack Stiefel will serve as one of only four national chairs at the Sept. 16 Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Volunteer Leadership Conference in Boston. – The Public Programs and the Social Justice Committees presented on Nov. 12 productions of “Clarence Darrow, The Legend, The Man,” performed by Gary Anderson, part of a Celebrated Speakers” outreach project which will also earn money for the building. - The Holiday Gift Bazaar sponsored by the Fair Trade Corner has expanded the number of socially and environmentally conscious gift ideas it offers. – The Art Wall in the hallway has been instituted for all members and friends who would like to share their art works with the congregation. - The Board held a weekend retreat in November, with the themes being conflict management and the development of a Board Covenant of Behavior. – On March16, 2006, the new Fellowship Council held its first meeting, replacing the temporary Transition Team and the Council of Chairs. – Rosie Murphy and Paul Amaru led a discussion group on Dante’s “Inferno.” – The Fellowship, along with three other religious institutions in town, has begun an interfaith learning program beginning with a session on discrimination. - Rev. William Sinkford, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, was principle speaker at the dedication of the Fellowship’s new home on Feb. 14, 2006. – Social Justice is forming a “Green Sanctuary” program to give members an avenue to mesh their Unitarian Universalist values with their ecological concerns. - The congregation at the Annual Meeting voted to add $25,000 to the new budget to be allocated to the salaries of paid employees. – The Board of Trustees at its March 14 meeting reviewed policy on the use of the Emerson Center and Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach names in advertising. – The congregation made $8,000 at the Annual auction, headed by Gloria Durand – The Board of Trustees by a 7-4 vote began the process of using $50,000 of funds authorized at the annual meeting toward expanding the recently renamed Bridges Early Learning Center classrooms, increasing its capacity from 64 students to 85. Earlier plans by architect David Page had proposed this and that the current Fellowship Hall (previously the Oasis) and some adjacent rooms would be turned into a new kitchen and dining room for congregational use. - Our minister, Rev. Gail Geisenhainer, won the extraordinary honor of being selected to preach the sermon at the Unitarian Universalist Association annual General Assembly, June 25 in St. Louis, Mo.

And this is just the beginning . . .

Art Maier, Journalist, Publisher & News Editor
Send Art more news or history at:  uunews@uufvb.org.