Preparing to plant new bromeliads , painting car stops rainbow colors and installing an Assembly Room table rail were some of the jobs taken on during the March work days, followed by fellowship and refreshments. Looking forward to seeing you next Workday.
As we approach the spring congregational meeting, it seems a good time for 1U to thank the Building and Grounds Team, Safety Planning Team, Welcome Team, and other members who together are working to make our 1U campus a safer place for all. These efforts could not have happened without many volunteer hours, many meetings and several trainings, supported by thoughtful staff and member input.
Two members provided significant support to our safety planning effort. George H. researched safety protocols and prepared our Campus Safety Plan. The safety plan and our building handbooks are now on our website, and evacuation maps are posted in all our buildings. Ann P. developed a disaster planning schedule and reviewed our Hurricane Plan. When the work was near completion for the year, Ann and Bob P. generously donated a new, large capacity transit chair to 1U.
Please note safety additions on campus: radios for staff and volunteers; a voice-activated intercom system in most of our rooms, three AEDs ([automated electronic defibrillators], and three transit chairs for rapid evacuations and other uses.
Look for these additions in our buildings and be prepared to help as needed. As possible, sign up for trainings. The more we all know, the safer we are.
Church leaders attended a Situational Awareness presentation by the Orlando Police Department with neighbor Commissioner Patty Sheenan as our esteemed guest on Wednesday evening. The program helped attendees think about ways our Operations Team/Safety Team can improve the church safety plan and understand how our local police can support our efforts. A major take-away was the need for protocols, training, and reassessment as we grow.
Sandy C, Judith SF, DRE director, Kathyrn H, Commissioner Patty Sheehan, Rev. Margalie, Officer Eddie R. and partner
The congregation would like to thank John B. for providing the beautiful plaque and memories of Frank Cofer for the artwork that decorates the back wall of the sanctuary. Frank was a longtime member who left his estate to our church along with his wish for a commissioned piece of art honoring Unitarian Universalism and its welcoming of the world’s religious traditions.
New plaque near the sculpture.
Close up of new plaque.
Installation History
The “Frank’s Dream” sculpture was first installed and then dedicated in the 1U Sanctuary on May 18, 2008.
From Ann Cook’s opening remarks:
“In 2004 this church lost one of its most colorful members to AIDS – Frank coffer. Everyone in this church whether they knew it or not participated in Frank’s life from listening to him talk to running errands to sitting at his bedside in the last hours of his life. This beloved community provided Frank with a safe place. In return Frank left his entire estate to this church with the stipulation that the money be used to commission a work of art in the sanctuary showing major world religions and their relation to Unitarian Universalism.
We selected Stefan Alexandres, a sculptor whose metal bas-reliefs took our collective breath away. Thank you, Stefan Alexandres, for translating Frank’s dream into a splendid work of art. Thank you First Unitarian Church for coming through for Frank when he needed you. Finally thanks to his good friend Stuart Bogue who gave me a most Frank-like exit line.
When I asked Stuart if he thought Frank would like the sculpture, he said, ‘I think Frank would have turned this into a necklace!’ “
About the Artist
Stefan Alexandres is a sculptor living in Central Florida, who works with steel, copper, and brass using a process called repousse. Born in Athens, Stefan has honed his craft all over the world. In 1989 he moved to the United States.
When asked about inspiration he says, “This art has been inspired from my interest in civilizations around the world. I have surrounded the lotus with traditional motifs from various world cultures. It is a source of wonder that so many of the same symbols appear in cultures that are unrelated in space and time period.”
Sculpture during the day.
Sculpture backlit at night.
Despite some bursts of morning rain, church members showed up today [November 5] for campus beautification and improvements. Dan H., Building and Grounds fearless leader, summarized the day:
What an amazing effort to make our campus safer and prettier!
Today we accomplished:
In addition to Dan and Kathy, Jim E, Tommy H. Martha and John H, George H and Katherine V joined the group. It was wonderful to have Tommy back among us. Many thanks to Katherine for donating bromeliads to grace the ground around our large oak trees near the labyrinth.
The next work day will be in January 2023. We hope to see you then.
The next Buildings and Ground Work Party is on Saturday November 5 from 9 AM to 12 PM. Many campus projects to choose from. Snacks and tools will be provided. Please bring your work gloves. All ages welcome!
Buildings and Grounds had a successful quarterly Saturday morning work party.
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