from the President

Swirling Thoughts
~ Karen Totten, Board President

Creativity at its Finest
 
      Writing this article brings me joy at how much Evergreen accomplished, learned and shared as a congregation this year. I admire the lengthy list of activities, programs, committee work, and entertainment that were offered. It was and continues to be phenomenal. 

      Our bookkeeper and administrator received increased salaries. Our congregation supported the Standing on the Side of Love initiative by flying the banner with pride. From the Community Play Group to the Women of Wisdom Circle, leaders brought some energy to our focus on being Intergenerational. Offering Our Whole Lives curriculum to our 4th – 5th graders and the year long class for 7th - 9th graders gave our youth the opportunity to learn about relationships and sexuality. We witnessed youth leaders organizing the Greening of Evergreen and being a Worship Associate.  Covenant Circles, Men’s Circle, Women’s Retreat, Creativity Network, Social Action and outside smaller groups provided an avenue for adults to explore their individual paths of spiritual growth.

      Hosting the Marysville Community Lunch for the homeless in our area, as well as supporting the Interfaith Shelter, showed our dedication and commitment to serving our community with compassion.  Forming three project teams for the possibility of adding solar panels, having zero waste and more clean eating, along with providing Trashbusters on HWY 529 are examples of our work at being more Green at Evergreen.

      Our ongoing fundraising opportunities (beyond the auction) increased our visibility in the wider Snohomish County community, as well as bringing in outside funds to our budget.  Sending three delegates from our Fellowship to the Pacific Northwest District Assembly enabled our congregation to be involved in the wider world of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

      There were countless activities, events and other ideas that grew this year. If your gifts and talents were not mentioned above, especially those ‘behind the scene’ people that keep our organization and building together, please know that your work and commitment to our Fellowship is much appreciated.

      With the creativity and talents that each of us brings to Evergreen, I am proud to be a part of this community more than I ever imagined.

With compassion and appreciation,

Karen Totten

PS. I will continue my work on collecting Pledge of Participation forms over the summer so our Fellowship can continue to have a vibrant collection of volunteers acting in the areas that fit their talents and gifts.