UCC FL Conference is on February 7, 2026
Conference is by ZOOM from 9AM to 1PM. It is an OPEN registration.
Click on the link to preview Conference documents.
www.uccfla.org/annual-meeting/
Click on the link to preview Conference documents.
www.uccfla.org/annual-meeting/
Leadership Council Highlights - January 2026
(Fire Alarm Donations, Council Retreat, Bylaws Review Committee, and Pastor Relations Committee, Technology Info)
Fire Alarm Donations:
As of now, we have received $12,600 in donations. We are half-way to our goal of obtaining $25,000 to replenish our Endowment Fund.
Council Retreat:
Leadership Council did not have a November or December Council Meeting. Instead, we held a retreat on November 17 & 18 hosted by FL Conference Facilitator Neal Watkins. The goals were for us to join together and identify VUCC strengths and weaknesses, and share our thoughts on our main goals and objectives moving forward.
We were to have a follow-up with Neal Watkins on December 16 but that did not occur. We will attempt to reschedule the conclusion with Neal. In the meantime, Council will revive the momentum we experienced in November at our January Council meeting.
Bylaws Review Committee:
Our Bylaws Review Committee members: Barbara Quinn, Helen Markus, Jane Chittick and myself met several times since our last Annual Meeting to revise the grammar/sentence structure and align the format of our document. The Final Draft is on our Leadership Council Drive, which you can review here.
Pastor Relations Committee (PRC):
At our Annual Meeting, a motion to revisit the membership of the Pastor Relations Committee was passed. At our April 2026 meeting, we will vote on the membership change.
The Pastor Relations Committee may consist of five members: the current Moderator, one other Leadership Council member, and three members of the congregation at large (one or two may be from the Pastor Search Committee)
The PRC has been meeting every month, and the members are Gary Leidheiser-Chair, John Bartel, Marianne Dickson, Toni Yahres, Barbara Talmage, and Maria Groody-Moderator.
Just as a refresher, this committee exists to support the Pastor as well as church members in their relationship with the Pastor.
Technology Info:
There have been changes to the APP and website. Leadership Council will begin short, five minute updates to alert members of progress, during Fellowship Time. Please stop in for coffee and hear the news!
Fire Alarm Donations:
As of now, we have received $12,600 in donations. We are half-way to our goal of obtaining $25,000 to replenish our Endowment Fund.
Council Retreat:
Leadership Council did not have a November or December Council Meeting. Instead, we held a retreat on November 17 & 18 hosted by FL Conference Facilitator Neal Watkins. The goals were for us to join together and identify VUCC strengths and weaknesses, and share our thoughts on our main goals and objectives moving forward.
We were to have a follow-up with Neal Watkins on December 16 but that did not occur. We will attempt to reschedule the conclusion with Neal. In the meantime, Council will revive the momentum we experienced in November at our January Council meeting.
Bylaws Review Committee:
Our Bylaws Review Committee members: Barbara Quinn, Helen Markus, Jane Chittick and myself met several times since our last Annual Meeting to revise the grammar/sentence structure and align the format of our document. The Final Draft is on our Leadership Council Drive, which you can review here.
Pastor Relations Committee (PRC):
At our Annual Meeting, a motion to revisit the membership of the Pastor Relations Committee was passed. At our April 2026 meeting, we will vote on the membership change.
The Pastor Relations Committee may consist of five members: the current Moderator, one other Leadership Council member, and three members of the congregation at large (one or two may be from the Pastor Search Committee)
The PRC has been meeting every month, and the members are Gary Leidheiser-Chair, John Bartel, Marianne Dickson, Toni Yahres, Barbara Talmage, and Maria Groody-Moderator.
Just as a refresher, this committee exists to support the Pastor as well as church members in their relationship with the Pastor.
Technology Info:
There have been changes to the APP and website. Leadership Council will begin short, five minute updates to alert members of progress, during Fellowship Time. Please stop in for coffee and hear the news!
Special Meeting Vote : 11/30/2025
The congregation overwhelmingly approved to move forward with the Fire Alarm Installation.
Work will begin after the new year.
At the meeting, Mel Burrowes included in the motion, an appeal to the congregation to raise at least $25,000. This will prevent us from withdrawing the whole amount from our Endowment Fund.
Interesting enough, there are approximately 115 giving households in our VUCC family.
If each were able to give a gift of $225, we would reach that goal!
CONTRIBUTIONS from our VUCC family are appreciated. We have received >$6,000 already.
All monies not received in donations will be withdrawn from our Endowment Fund, which now stands at $773,759.
Work will begin after the new year.
At the meeting, Mel Burrowes included in the motion, an appeal to the congregation to raise at least $25,000. This will prevent us from withdrawing the whole amount from our Endowment Fund.
Interesting enough, there are approximately 115 giving households in our VUCC family.
If each were able to give a gift of $225, we would reach that goal!
CONTRIBUTIONS from our VUCC family are appreciated. We have received >$6,000 already.
All monies not received in donations will be withdrawn from our Endowment Fund, which now stands at $773,759.