Summary of the Board Retreat on Saturday, August 30, 2025

The GNUUC Board held their annual retreat on August 30th, bringing together seven board members for a day of reflection and planning focused on the congregation's future direction. 

Through structured exercises and collaborative discussion, the board crafted this year's Vision of Ministry statement: 

"This year we will be a sanctuary where every person is known, fed, and transformed through authentic connection and courageous action." 

Key themes that emerged throughout the day included 

-radical hospitality, 
-the unique strengths of being a small congregation (such as nimble decision-making and deep personal connections), and
-the importance of accessibility in all forms. 

The board also discussed transitioning toward a more hands-on "working board" model that better fits the congregation's current size, including plans to open portions of monthly board meetings for congregational input. 

The retreat highlighted core values of community care, witnessing each other's humanity, and maintaining flexibility to respond quickly to both congregational and community needs - all while celebrating the distinctive advantages that come with being a close-knit congregation.