THOUGHTFUL QUESTION OF THE MONTH:

Bob asks “What are some specific, special memories - from your travels - that left lasting impressions on you?” 

 

REV. BARBARA GADON, OUR MINISTER EMERITA:

• March 22, 2026: Rev. Barbara will join the service remotely. Bob and Jennifer will share words of appreciation for her service to Eliot. 
• April 1, 2026: Rev. Barbara will attend in person for a reception in her honor in Adam’s Hall. 

NEW MEMBERS: 

• Nine new members signed the book in March! More new member book signings are planned soon (April 26 and May 17). All are encouraged to attend.
• Prior to participating in the Annual Meeting, members must both (1) sign the book and (2) be approved by the Board. Because there is a book signing the morning of this year’s Annual Meeting (May 17th) the Board plans to approve these new members prior, contingent on signing the book that morning, to enable their participation. 

BOARD APPOINTMENT TO THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE:

Rebecca Taylor

NOMINEES FOR BOARD OF TRUSTEES:

Susan Myers, Adam Bockhorst, and Steven Bain
 

2026–27 BUDGET: 

The board reviewed the draft budget for next year. Expenses are up but so is attendance. We want to increase hours for assistant minister and RE, but we need to know we have the funds. The draft budget has very conservative increases and not much to cut if we don’t meet pledge goals. So we are keeping a close eye on pledges.

 

PLEDGE DRIVES:

• 2025-26 pledges: We have had a slower than usual payment of pledges in 25-26 with several deficit months. This improved when Rev. Krista spoke to this in a Sunday service in February. We are getting back on track but there is still some room for improvement.
• 2026-27 pledges: Membership is up so we have more pledging units, yet fewer pledge returns than usual. Pledges are still coming in and we hope to reach our goal so we do not have to make cuts to the budget. 

MID-YEAR BOARD RETREAT:

Saturday, March 28, 2026: the board will meet at Eliot from 8:30 – 12:30. Our goal is to spend quality time together, have some in depth discussions of congregational feedback from our 2025-26 Open Questions series, and leave with a new draft Rolling Roadmap goal.