Membership System Upgrade

September, 2024: Your UURMaPA Board has a special Announcement…

Some of you may already be aware that we are making a major upgrade to our membership system! The new system gives you direct access to make changes and update your information. We have created this new system to both simplify access to membership data and also make our information more secure.

The new system is straightforward and we hope you will have no problem updating your information.

We will be closing down the old system (including the Directories available on our UURMaPA website) later this fall. So it is very important that you access the new system and verify that the information we have there is correct. This ensures that you will be able to receive all UURMaPA information, including messages from “Announce” and quarterly issues of Elderberries.

And it is necessary for you to create your profile and confirm your information before you can Register for this upcoming Fall UURMaPA Conference (October 21–23 — information about that has gone out separately)!

Here’s what you need to know:

Before you log into ChurchCenter, Jon Claney has prepared an informative video to help you do that. Watch it here:

youtu.be/_71ReowqTXk

Then, to verify and/or update your UURMaPA Membership information, please go to uurmapa.churchcenter.com

If you have a question or need assistance, Richard Speck has kindly agreed to be our “ambassador” for this transition and will do his best to assist you. Contact him at rgspeck@comcast.net.

The Rev. Robert J. Lewis

The Rev. Robert J. Lewis died on September 6, 2023, at the age of 92 (1931-2023).

Robert is survived by his wife of 64 years Sylvia; his children Janet Lewis (Wayne) and Drew Lewis; grandchildren Kelsey Strouse (Andrew), Lily and Lanni Solochek; great granddaughter Samantha Joy Litwin; brother Wilford Lewis; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

A memorial service was held on October 26, 2023, at the River Road Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6301 River Rd, Bethesda MD 20817.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s own choosing or the Greenbelt Community Foundation or Unitarian Universalist for Social Justice. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolence may be written here.

A more complete obituary will be forthcoming after biographical research has been completed. It will be published in an upcoming issue of Elderberries and posted on the UURMaPA website.If any readers would wish to contribute information or reminiscences, we would welcome them. Please send them to UURMaPA’s clergy obituary editor, Rev. Jay Atkinson – jayatk40@gmail.com.

The Rev. Carl Arthur Hover

The Rev. Carl Arthur Hover died on August 15, 2024, at the age of 88 (1936-2024).

Arthur is survived by his wife, Ellen Dionna; his two children: Carla Hover and Carl Hover; and five step-children: Jonathan Wolf, Carol Wolf, Pamela Wolf MacMahon, Adam Wolf, and Franklin Wolf. He was preceded in death by his two sons: Kenneth Arthur and Carson Monroe.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the UU Congregation of York, 925 S George St, York PA 17403.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the UU Congregation of York PA, or the Unitarian Universalist Society for Ministerial Relief, c/o Rev. Susan Suchocki Brown, 80 Mill Glen Rd., Winchendon, MA 01475.

Notes of condolences may be written here
<https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/c-arthur-hover-obituary?id=56218038#guestbook>.

A more complete obituary will follow.

Ann Clark Howe

Ann Howe, 99, of Raleigh and spouse of the late Rev. Dr. Charles A. Howe, died peacefully on August 14, 2024, after a brief illness, surrounded by family. Ann Elizabeth Clark was born in Richmond VA on October 18, 1924, to the late William Baker Clark and Louise Graham Clark.

Ann grew up on the family farm in Buckingham County VA. She entered college at age 16 and graduated from Westhampton College, University of Richmond, Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. She also earned a master’s degree in organic chemistry at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

She met Charles Howe at UNC after he returned from service in WWII and they were married in 1947.

Ann was an instructor in chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez, worked as a research assistant at UNC, and then spent a decade at home with her children. She was an elementary science teacher at the Lab School at the University of Chicago while her husband was a seminary student.

Ann then received a Ph.D. in science education from the University of Texas at Austin in 1970. She was a Professor of Science Education at Syracuse University, the head of the Department of Math and Science Education at North Carolina State University, and the head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Maryland. She was the first woman to hold a faculty position in her department at both Syracuse and N.C. State.

Her professional accomplishments are too numerous to detail here but included leadership roles in professional organizations, including President of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (1983–84), a Senior Fulbright Scholar in Chile, editorial roles with professional journals, and the author of numerous journal articles and two books. In retirement, Ann became a painter and was a member of Cary Gallery of Artists.

She was a longtime member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh NC, where she served in various leadership roles. A person of great energy, curiosity and optimism, Ann balanced her professional achievements with a full family life, a love of travel, nature and gardening, and enjoying her many friends.

She was predeceased by her husband, Charles, and her brother, William B. Clark Jr. She is survived by daughter Judy Howe (Robert Harangozo) of Yonkers NY, daughter Margie Chenery of Raleigh, and son David Howe of Albany NY; grandchildren Patricia Chenery, Sally Howe, Nora Howe, and Caroline Harangozo; her sister, Martha Bell; her sister-in-law, Jean Clark; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024 at the UU Fellowship of Raleigh, 3313 Wade Avenue, Raleigh NC.

Contributions in Ann’s memory may be made to Planned Parenthood South Atlantic or a charity of your choice.

The Rev. Walter S. LeFlore

The Rev. Walter S. LeFlore died on August 12, 2024, at the age of 72 (1952-2024).

Walter is survived by his wife Yvette LeFlore; his two children Alison LeFlore and Eric LeFlore (Audrey); grandchildren Nicholas Inferrara, Joseph Inferrara, and Elias LeFlore; brother Ivens LeFlore; and his two sisters Loretta Wells and Pat Francois.

There will be two celebrations of life services for Walter. One will be held at 1 pm on August 24, 2024, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke, 2015 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke VA 24015. Another will be held at 2 pm on September 14, 2024, at the First Parish Church of Stow, 353 Great Rd, Stow MA 01775.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Roanoke Reparations Group. Checks can be sent to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke, 2015 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke, VA 24015. Please mention Reparations in the memo
line. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolences may be written here:
<https://www.lotzfuneralhomesalem.com/tributes/Walter-LeFlore#share-a-memory>.

The Rev. Robert C. Sallies

The Rev. Robert “Bob” C. Sallies died on August 6, 2024, at the age of 92 (1931-2024).

Bob is survived by his wife (of 71 years) Margie Garrison Sallies, daughter E. Elizabeth Sallies, sister-in-law JoAnn Bolt Garrison, a larger number of nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews, great-grand-nieces and nephews, as well as one great-great grand-niece.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at the First Universalist Church of South Paris, 36 Pine St, South Paris ME 04281.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Universalist Church of South Paris, 36 Pine St, South Paris ME 04281. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolence may be written here.

Christine Lilly Backus

Obituary for Elderberries, written by Chris’s niece, Alisha Lilly Sarang-Sieminski, who took care of Chris in her last years. Edited for length by Eleanor Richardson.

Christine Lilly Backus, known as Chris or Christy, embarked on her final adventure July 14, 2024, at the age of 77. Born Oct. 15, 1946, in Eugene OR, Chris and her husband of 53 years, the Rev. Andy Backus, lived in Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, California, Vancouver BC, and Bellingham WA. She came back to the Boston area for the past 2 years to live near family.

Chris attended Moorestown Friends School (NJ). She earned a B.A. from Goucher College (MD), and an M.A. in Education from Harvard. Returning to her alma maters, Christy was an art teacher at the Friends School and Art Librarian at Goucher for a time.

Christy’s life with Andy was the stuff of quirky romantic comedies, deep love, and joint adventures. Their collaboration was a testament to their shared love of laughter and storytelling. They were excellent party hosts, especially on New Year’s Eve, their wedding anniversary. She joined forces with Andy to co-write the play “Older But Not Wiser (Younger But Not Cute),” which, true to form, was a hit at the Bellingham (WA) Theater Guild.

Christy shared a deep involvement in the UU church with Andy, not simply a minister’s wife and church member, but an active participant in the larger community, as a frequent attendee of UUA General Assembly, founding member of the UU minister’s partners group, and an active member of UURMaPA, including editing Elderberries. In recent years, she found a spiritual home at the Unitarian Church of Sharon MA. Christy knew every song in the UU songbook without looking.

Chris was always willing to lend a hand. Together, she and Andy boated the waters of the East and West coasts, taking on leadership roles within the Power Squadron at Semiahmoo Yacht Club in Bellingham. As a Commodore, she took pride and joy in teaching others about boating safety. Throughout her life, Christy was active in social justice, and canvassed for local candidates she believed in.

As her capacity changed due to dementia, her core qualities still shone through and she was beloved by all of those who helped care for her. And one could absolutely imagine her making jokes about how being “demented” her whole life was finally catching up to her.

Chris leaves behind nieces Alisha Sarang-Sieminski and Hema Sarang-Sieminski and their children (her grand-niblings), her sister Deb Lilly, and countless extended family and friends.

As we say our goodbyes, let’s not forget to smile and be kind to one another; after all, that’s exactly what Christy would have wanted. Donations in Christy’s memory can be made to organizations that support democracy and reproductive rights – things she worked for throughout her life. Also to the UU Church of Sharon MA. UURMaPA will contribute to the UU Church of Sharon.

Christy’s memorial will be held at the Unitarian Church of Sharon on Saturday, August 24 at 3 PM, with a teatime reception to follow. A remote option will be available and the Zoom Link can be found on the church website: https://www.uusharon.org/calendar/christy-backus-memorial-service/.

UURMaPA Purpose and Background to Latest Amendments by Board

On March 16, 2023, the Board of UURMaPA voted unanimously to amend the Purpose of UURMaPA as described in our organization’s by-laws. This vote came at the end of a year of study of whether UURMaPA should have a covenant or alternatively a change in our Purpose.

The first phase of this process was a discussion about whether our purpose would be well-served by including a covenant as part of UURMaPA membership. That discussion led the Board into a deeper dive about why we have never been a formal membership organization with boundaries that include affirmation and enforcement of a covenant. We found enough ambivalence about a covenant last year that the Board proposed a different approach. Recognizing that our governance philosophy has been to trust an empowered Board, and that our by-laws do not include annual meetings or votes, the Board put forward, instead of a covenant, a proposal for amendments to the Purpose of UURMaPA. The Board invited feedback in writing to this proposal following the Fall Conference in late October, after which any next steps or a final Board vote would be considered.

Seven UURMaPA members sent written responses. Three of these were broad reflections on the changing ministry that did not speak directly to thePurpose statement. Two responses were critical of the proposed changes and recommended simplifying or abandoning the proposed changes. One response focused on the phrase “anti-oppressive attitudes” in the last sentence, describing it as “vague” and “subjective”. This person hoped that the statement could be “more succinct and less ambiguous”. The Board considered these reflections and did not find them persuasive.

One response that we did find persuasive came from Rev. Scot Giles, who
encouraged us to include a reference to the guidelines and codes of conduct of the UU Society for Community Ministers, alongside that of the UUMA, since we have members who prefer to affiliate with UUSCM rather than the UUMA. We thank Scot for this suggestion. After review of the comments and discussion about our options, the following proposed amendments to the Purpose along with the Giles suggestion was moved, seconded and passed by a unanimous vote:

“In faithfulness to the Unitarian Universalist tradition and to the guidelines and code of conduct of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association and the Unitarian Universalist Society for Community Ministries, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Retired Ministers and Partners Association embody in our lives and our conduct with each other the values that we proclaim on behalf of our faith. Our purpose is to be an inclusive multicultural community that serves the interests and enhances the well-being of retired Unitarian Universalist ministers and their life partners through informational communication, periodic membership gatherings, and other supportive programs and activities. As a Unitarian Universalist organization of professionals and partners, we recognize that fulfilling our purpose calls us to cultivate anti-oppressive attitudes and practices consistent with our shared values, thereby promoting our collective well-being.”

The Board sees this as an appropriate step and a conclusion to this stage of the ongoing conversation among us about what UURMaPA means to us, and how we can continue to thrive as an inclusive organization welcoming future generations of retirees. In her written response, Marilyn Sewall wrote: “So much these days is mere ‘virtue signaling,’ and I hope we do not become a part of this phenomenon, which is simply empty rhetoric.” The Board has taken Rev. Sewall’s challenge very seriously, and we encourage UURMaPA members to do the same. We see the Purpose change as one small step among many steps to be taken to enhance the quality of our relationships and the courage of our conversations.

Endowment Fund

Endowment Fund Revision May 2021

UURMaPA, established in 1985, has served our liberal religious movement and the needs of retired UU ministers and their partners for more than a quarter of a century – and, with your support, will continue to serve for many years to come.

With this hope in mind, we have created an endowment fund. The Fund balance is to be held in perpetuity. Annually, the Board may withdraw up to 4% of the balance for supporting the annual budget. The Board may withdraw funds from the endowment fund balance in addition to this limitation. It will take two subsequent votes of the Board to access the Endowment beyond the annual withdrawal.

To contribute send a check made out to “UURMaPA Endowment Fund” to: Paul Johnson, Treasurer (as of July, 2024)
UU Retired Ministers and Partners Assoc.
1225 NW 21St, unit 402
Stuart, FL 34994

For details, contact Paul Johnson at treasurer@uurmapa.org.

There are other ways, too, of contributing to UURMaPA in a lasting way. You might consider naming UURMaPA in your will, for example. Or you might consider the purchase of a charitable gift annuity, that would generate income for you during your lifetime and leave a legacy for the organization.

Resolution to Create the UURMaPA Endowment Fund
Adopted October 7, 2008; Revised May 19, 2021

WHEREAS the primary fiduciary responsibility of the leadership of a nonprofit charitable organization is to further the mission of the organization and maintain its programs, and

WHEREAS the annual income for a non-profit charitable organization that is derived in any particular fiscal year will be influenced by current economic conditions and the generosity of current donors, and

WHEREAS the long-term financial stability of a non-profit charitable organization may benefit from income from funds donated in prior periods by previous supporters,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Executive Board of the Unitarian Universalist Retired Ministers and Partners Association at its regular meeting in October 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts hereby resolves to establish an ENDOWMENT FUND to hold assets in perpetuity that are donated for this purpose. The ENDOWMENT FUND will be governed according to the following policies:

1. The ENDOWMENT FUND will be managed by the Treasurer. The Treasurer may establish an Endowment Committee of three people approved by the Board to assist in the management of the Endowment Fund. The Treasurer is authorized to solicit contributions to UURMaPA to be designated for the ENDOWMENT FUND, with such contributions covered by the Association’s 501(c) (3) tax status as applied to charitable donations.

2. The Treasurer and/or the Endowment Committee is hereby authorized to undertake all the usual actions related to holding, making or disposing of investments in financial markets, such as through mutual funds and any mix of cash, equities or bonds. The Treasurer and/or the Endowment Committee may not incur obligations on behalf of UURMaPA beyond the assets of the ENDOWMENT FUND, and the ENDOWMENT FUND assets will not be co-mingled with other UURMaPA accounts.

3. The Endowment Fund will be invested in the Unitarian Universalist Association Common Endowment Fund and managed by the UUA. The Treasurer will report monthly to the Board on the balance of the Endowment Fund.

4. Withdrawals from the Endowment Fund may be made annually in the fall of each year and used in the creation of the next fiscal year budget. An amount up to 4% of the balance as of June 30th of that year may be withdrawn and added to the next year’s budget. The Board may withdraw funds from the endowment fund balance in addition to this limitation. It will take two subsequent votes of the Board to access the Endowment beyond the annual withdrawal.

5. The UURMaPA Executive Board shall have the authority to revise these policies in the event of a financial emergency or other urgent circumstance so long as they act in the best interests of the organization, however any such revisions shall require approval by the Board of Directors at two consecutive meetings.

6. Non-cash donations to the ENDOWMENT FUND such as individual equities will be sold as soon as practicable after they are received, with the proceeds added to the Endowment corpus and invested according to the financial policies then in force.

7. In order to stimulate contributions to the UURMaPA ENDOWMENT FUND, the Executive Board shall publicize the existence and purposes of the ENDOWMENT FUND to its members. Individual UURMaPA members may request and receive from the Treasurer a current report on the status of the Fund at any time.

8. In the event of the termination of the Unitarian Universalist Retired Ministers and Partners Association, the successor organization to receive any remaining assets will be the Unitarian Universalist Association Living Tradition Fund.

The Rev. Beth N. Williams

The Rev. Beth N. Williams died on August 1, 2024, at the age of 72 (1952-2024). Beth is survived by her brother, Doug Nuber, and several cousins. A celebration of life service was held on October 19, 2024, at Mountain Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Tucson AZ.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following:

Mountain Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Arizona Public Media
The University of Arizona, Modern Language Bldg, Room 223, 1423 E University Blvd., Tucson AZ 85719.

UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry. Notes of condolence may be sent to Kristi Lewis, 14090 N. Lobelia Way, Oro Valley, AZ 85755.