Moderator's Page

Dear Friends,

I am looking forward to the next two years as I have the privilege of serving as the Moderator of the Congregational Unitarian Church of Woodstock. Thank you for this opportunity. I invite each of you to become engaged in a visioning process in these next two years as we seek to faithfully shape the direction and future of this congregation. In 2006 we celebrated the 100 year anniversary of the building that has housed the life and ministry of this congregation. It has been wonderful to celebrate the past and to honor those whose visions have brought us this far and will continue to shape the future, even as we take up that responsibility anew. This congregation has lived many lives in the 142 years since its founding. We have been blessed by a heritage of leadership that has navigated the way through many, many changes and ongoing transition. We give thanks. We are blessed. Now we have the opportunity and responsibility to shape the next 100 years. It is exciting and challenging and we need the energy and insights of each of you to envision the future.

It is interesting to me that the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association at its meeting this past June in Portland , Oregon is embarking on a campaign called “Now is the Time.” It is an invitation to all local congregations to grow in faith both individually and as a congregation. This growing involves growth in membership, spiritual growth, becoming more diverse, growing stronger leaders for our congregations, and becoming stronger, more visible witnesses for justice for all people and for the earth. Now is the time.

Now is the time for the Congregational Unitarian Church of Woodstock. It is an exciting time for this congregation. The church council has established a “Space Committee” to begin a process that asks all of us to contribute to the vision that will shape our future. There will be many opportunities for you to be involved. We are a strong and gifted people. We need each other. This community, our country and the world will be blessed as we grow stronger and more faithful to our vision as Unitarians. Blessings as we shape the next 100 years.

Marcia Johnson, Moderator