I will never forget this scene on Dia de Los Muertos. Our children picked up those devastating, injurious rocks and solemnly carried them out of the sanctuary to be painted and repurposed for joy. Thank you, Amy Randall, for this moving and wonderful idea.

We have been through a lot on this campus since October 27, and so many of you have helped us with clean up tasks, security decisions, creative thinking, shopping for replacement items, donating food and flowers, repairs, etc. We must especially laud the Facilities Committee members who continue to do all of the above as well as normal maintenance. I am learning much about this facility and all of us. For example, did you know our concrete block walls are not just hollow with rebar? They are solid, filled with concrete; “You have a bunker here,” said the ADT installers. I now know the location of the gas turnoff valve and the internet routers. MVUUC is challenging all of us to learn and grow, to give this beloved congregation the best of ourselves. As we do this, our visioning goals remind us to connect, learn, share, and grow with our entire community.

Maribel Dana, President, Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees Honors and Thanks: Lyn Shaible, Debbi Scurto and Lori McLaughlin for their volunteerism and dedication to fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of the MVUUC business office for 3 months.

This year, the Board hopes to use this column to share information about WHO serves on the Board and WHAT we are doing and planning with YOUR help and input, of course. We are also publishing a summary of the Board actions from the most recent meeting, which was October 17, 2015. The approved October minutes will be on the bulletin board in the foyer after the November meeting. For those of you who did not attend the Annual Meeting Part 2 on November 18, copies of the 4 handouts, which include the adopted 2015-2016 Budget, will be on the large green table on the east wall of the sanctuary this coming Sunday and beyond.

This month, we share some short biographies with members–more to follow.

Laura Mulroy
I am a native Californian and grew up first in Santa Barbara and then the San Francisco Bay Area. I became a Unitarian Universalist when I joined the First Unitarian Church of San Francisco in about 1990. I have been a member of MVUUC since I, my husband Sean Gallagher and our two daughters moved here 13 years ago from Arizona, where we were active in the UU Congregation of Phoenix. I am currently in my second year as a member of MVUUC’s Board of Trustees. In addition to serving on the Board, I have taught RE for many years, been a member and chair of the RE Council, participated in a Strategic Planning Task Force, and served on the Nominating Committee and Committee on Ministry. My past professional experience includes project management for BofA as well as data analysis and software application consulting. I now work as a forensic accountant in Claremont.

Maribel Dana
I am a California girl, and the only time I lived elsewhere was 1975, teaching in Melbourne, Australia. I worked for the Chaffey high school district from 1976 through 2009 as a Reading Specialist and also taught English and civics. My kids, Willie and Ashleen, continue to make me feel proud and older, as they hit 30 and 27 this year. Retired, many paths beckon that compliment lifelong loves of reading, art, travel, poetry and animals. I have been with MVVUC for over 19 years now, and I am very pleased to serve as your Board President this year.

Jeanne Coats
I am a native Californian and have lived here all my life. I am a retired Science and ESL teacher (49 years). I have two children, a son and a daughter. I am a pagan and member of our CUUPS group. I have been a member of the MVUUC “family” for about 20 years, over ten of them as a member. I find my life almost as busy in retirement as when I was working.

October Board Meeting Summary–October 17, 2015

• Polished and approved the final version of the 2015-2016 Budget
• Approved Merri Wise as the new Treasurer
• Expressed gratitude to Joanne Greene for her hard work as Treasurer since June
• Approved repainting the sanctuary
• Approved replacements for Safe Congregations Pool: Jill Raiguel, Doug McLaughlin, and Kristin Conway Gomez.

Many thanks to the new volunteers and all of you who give so much support to MVUUC.