The New York State Convention of Universalists 2014 Annual Report Organized in 1825, the New York State Convention of Universalists continues to: support Universalist history and values, provide financial support to the St. Lawrence and Metropolitan New York districts of the Unitarian Universalist Association, administer grant and loan programs which have benefited both congregations and individuals within New York and beyond. Since 2004, the NYSCU has made grants of more than $500,000 and no-interest loans (to congregations) totaling more than $400,000. During this time, all loans have been repaid on schedule. offer retirement assistance to ministers (and surviving spouses) who served in New York State Universalist churches for a specified period of time prior to 1961. Reports from board members who have the portfolios for these responsibilities are included in this packet. Please join me in thanking these good people for their dedicated work. A less known activity of the NYSCU is ownership and maintenance of an archive of historical documents related to Universalism in the State of New York. At its winter meeting, the NYSCU Board of Trustees voted to award grants to 12 organizations and loans to 3 organizations, primarily connected to the St. Lawrence and Metro New York districts of the UUA but also to other UUA-related groups. A total of $42,000 in grants and $62,600 in loans were awarded. Details of these grants & loans are below: Grants 2014 St. Lawrence UU District (SLD) District operating budget $14,000 Metro NY UU District (MNY) District operating budget 9,000 UU Church of the Larger Fellowship Dynamic Unitarian Universalism: Online Family Faith Development & Spirituality 3,000 Interfaith Impact of NYS Nation Builder Internet organizing program for legislative advocacy 3,050 UU Legislative Ministry of NJ Development of advocacy materials 1,500 First UU Church of Niagara Learn, Love, and Build a Better World 2,500 First Unitarian Church of Rochester Deaf and hearing impaired communities 3,000 First Universalist Church of Central Square Spiritual Development Group: How We Define the Word God 800 Murray Grove Association Camping in the Grove 2014 2,500 Adirondack Unitarian Universalist Community Ministerial search 700 Brockport Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Leadership development 1,650 First Universalist Church of Central Square Enhanced listening system for sanctuary 300 Sub-Total (grants)   $42,000 Loans 2014 UU Congregation of Glens Falls Parking lot repair and upgrade 12,000 First Universalist Church of Rochester Roof replacement 50,000 First Universalist Church of Central Square Enhanced listening system for sanctuary 600 Sub-Total (loans)   $62,600 Grand Total   $104,600 The board’s spring meeting was focused on planning for NYSCU’s 188th Annual Meeting, hosted by the UU Congregation of Watertown, NY. Our board of trustees chose Rev. Christana Wille McKnight as this year’s keynote speaker. Her presentation will be on “Growing With the Universalist Message of Love$rdquo;. Christana will also be presenting an afternoon workshop on “Growing our Faith by Keeping our Kids$rdquo; We thank the Watertown congregation for their kindness to host our meeting. Next year’s annual meeting will be held in Oneonta, NY, on Oct. 23 & 24, and the keynote speaker will be Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed. Many thanks also to our board members that are a privilege to serve with: Judi Adel (VP), Tom Hackett (secretary), Margaret Maguire (treasurer), trustees: Julie Alexander, Fred Boreali, Ruth Stewart, Pastor Lee Richards, Lisa Zuend-Misner, and Mark Bunce. Thanks also to archivist Karen Dau. We invite people in all congregations to give serious thought to how they can participate in NYSCU programs. Share ideas. Volunteer your interest and expertise, and make a difference in the service of a loving and uplifting organization. Cordially, Tim Hart, Board President of NYSCU Last modified May 07, 2021. Please direct any comments, questions, or corrections to .