Northern Light August 2007

Outlined below is a summary of the financial reports presented to members of your Finance Committee and Board of Trustees for the month of June:

           Actual $ Budget
        Received (Expected
June, 2007   and Paid     Receipts &                                                             Payments)

Pledge Income $ 8,738    $ 11,889
Other Income    1,185        2,974
Total Income    $ 9,923       $ 14,863
Total Expenses    $ 12,777    $ 14,860

Year-to-Date

Pledge Income $ 71,178    $ 71,335
Other Income    6,785       17,844
Total Income    $ 77,963    $ 89,179
Total Expenses    $ 88,505    $ 89,160

Pledge Income for the month of May was below budget by $3,151. It does not appear that July is tracking much better. Every month since February, Pledge income has been below budget. Expenses are almost on target.

Until next month,
Nancy Remer

Bravo to all of the summer musicians who have provided wonderful music at each and every service this summer. A diverse group of singers and instrumentalists of all ages have enriched the worship at NUUC. The month of August will feature a flute duet, soprano duet, piano works performed by Nathan Hamm, and a flute quartet.

I hope you will join me and Rev. Ritchie on August 12 as we celebrate Nathan Hamm's many years of service as the accompanist for NUUC. I have been honored to work with Nathan for the past four years. We have had many laughs together, and I will miss our weekly collaborations, as he is a fine musician with an incredible ear. Nathan will be providing all of the music for the service on August 12.

As I write this, I am beginning to look at the repertoire for the 2007-2008 choir season. We will be revisiting many favorites and learning some exciting new music. As always, it is both a challenge and a thrill to think about how music compliments the spoken word of our services, how the two elements can work together to create a meaningful Sunday morning experience for this congregation. I am constantly reminded how fortunate I am to have so many talented musicians who are eager to offer up their talents.

September is the perfect time to add new members to the ranks of the NUUC Choir. We are currently in need of high voices, though low voices are always welcome. Our rehearsals are on Sunday mornings at 9:00 (no mid-week rehearsals!) and we strive to sing a good variety of music from all times and places. Sitting in the congregation this summer, I have heard some really great hymn singing and I know there are some strong voices in the congregation who are not yet members of the choir. If you are considering joining the choir, I'd love to talk to you! Call me at 740 965-6894 or email me at marlenemetz@yahoo.com .

The NUUC Choir will have its first rehearsal of the 2007-2008 season on Sunday, September 9 at 9:00AM with our new accompanist Wade Jones. We will be singing "River In Judea" for Ingathering. Choir members may pick up their folders at services beginning August 26. If your contact information has changed over the summer, please let me know. Emails will begin arriving in your mailbox in late August detailing the repertoire and rehearsal schedule.

Hello All! I am in New York and sorting my way through the towers of boxes!! Quite a space crunch when one moves from 2700 square feet to 1000 square feet - YIKES! My landlord has been very pleasant and responsive to the few problems that have popped up (dead refrigerator upon my arrival, fireplace damper fallen out of place in the flue, and an apparently dead sump pump - a CRITICAL fixture to this house that apparently sits on an underground river of sorts!). Many logistics have been dealt with (driver's license, vehicle registrations, phone service, grass-mowing service, email and DSL service, checking account, health insurance, and even some unpacking!) and there is MUCH still to do. I do believe I will enjoy my decor with no boxes! (But that will take a month or so I expect.)

My rental home is lovely and cozy with lots of knotty pine board walls inside and green and wildlife and quiet outside - Wonderful! The weather is also noticeably different from Ohio - cooler and less humid.

One night last week I dug out my boom box, my accompaniment CDs, and my music and sang, Sang, SANG! for hours late in the evening. It certainly was not the same as singing for you but I had great fun.

Last Sunday I attended the UU church here for the first time since my move. They have a smaller summer session than their standard "church year"service with much smaller attendance. I enjoyed meeting some folks. (At church, I am Linda's sister! ...at least for now!) We sang one hymn at the end of which the woman across the aisle from me leaned over and said to me in a medium whisper, "I want to invite you to join our choir!" So I'm on my way! My heart is still with you all at NUUC, but over time, I will find my way here in my new home.

Happily now, I can do things at my own pace and take time to rest and relax. This evening is an open-air concert on The Commons where I will join my sister and her partner for the music.