Greetings for the summer months! ‘Hot’ best describes what we’ve seen so far–90+ already, and at the time of this writing, Summer had not officially begun!

Our fiscal year has, as of July first, begun. With our pledge drive behind us, and members and friends generously supporting our ‘house on the hill’ to the best of our ability, let’s focus on the Stewardship side
of S&F.

Merriam Webster defines Stewardship as “the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.” The ‘something’ referred to here, is, in our case, both physical and spiritual.

Regarding the physical, the building we ‘tend with care’ replaced the small double A Frame that was destroyed by fire in 2006.

Our generous Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall provide ample space for our weekly services and Religious Exploration classes, as well as Community events such as art exhibits, concerts and the monthly Hudson
Valley Folk Guild. During the week, the building serves the Birch School, offering an education style that matches our values to middle school and high school students in the area.

Rather than a creed, our spiritual values are expressed in aspirational principles. We strive to promote and affirm: the inherent worth and dignity of each person, as well as freedom and justice expressed through democratic words and deeds. Social and environmental concerns are paramount, as can be seen by other articles in this newsletter.

Stewardship of these principles involves mindfully supporting one another in our communication, care and outreach.

Stewardship and Finance Ministry
Alan Horne and Linda Mangelsdorf