After a two-year hiatus from the Tapestry board, I recently re-joined as VP of Operations. One of the important duties of this position, I have learned, is managing the Coordinating Council. What, you may ask, is that?

Tapestry has a number of committees and groups – around 20, in fact! These include everything from Membership, Ways & Means and Finance to Worship, Social Justice and Communications. Whether it’s planning services, raising funds, curating the musical program, recording sermons, keeping our building clean, safe and attractive, managing Tapestry’s financial health, serving food, protecting our congregation during services, or rallying community outreach - and so much more - there’s a committee that does it or manages it! And those committees are run by volunteers like you and me who in ways big and small keep our congregation running.

The Coordinating Council is the nexus where committee representatives communicate with each other about their plans, activities and needs. I will soon chair my first CC meeting and have asked each committee to submit a report that will summarize its activities, plans and needs since July 1st and for the remainder of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. By sharing these details with each other in advance, we can focus on creative collaboration to meet the mutual needs of the committees and the congregation.

Having participated in various activities and initiatives at Tapestry over the past five years, I’ve come to realize that committees and their volunteers are what makes Tapestry work. Without you, there would be no Tapestry. Showing up on Sunday feeds our spirit and builds community. Writing checks gives us a home. And rolling up your sleeves, figuratively or literally, is just as important . Take Building and Grounds. B&G does everything from keeping the lights on – literally – to making sure we have a well-ventilated, clean, safe. attractive environment in which to meet. Right now the B&G committee consists of one person – Lynn Cowan! She is on other committees as well, and she could use some help. Maybe you aren’t in a position right now to make an extended commitment? That’s OK. There are many one-off tasks that need doing. Whether you’re good at cooking, cleaning, organizing, writing letters, making phone calls, gardening, feeding people, running errands, attending City Council meetings, singing, playing an instrument or teaching kids – your help is needed!

Not sure where to start? See me after church or email me at: vp.ops@TapestryUU.org.

Peace,
- Scott Westerfield, VP Operations