Commitment, Purpose and Higher Calling

© 2009, Lisa Harrington Bailey, Don Wollwage, and Alisa Gould Sugden

Listen Now!

My name is Lisa Harrington Bailey and I serve as your Communications Administrator and Events Facilitator.

My first experience with UUCB was in 1988 when my husband and I chose this place for our wedding. I was captivated by the grand architecture of the elegant sanctuary with its soaring beams and stone walls; the lovely green Atrium, and splendid view of San Francisco Bay. The greatest beauty of UUCB – you - it’s members - wasn’t revealed to me until much later.

In 2002 our son, John became friends with Adam Zittel. Through Adam, we met Warren and Linda, and our families began a warm friendship. They invited us to come worship with them. I was skeptical about attending services even though my husband’s family had strong connections here. I was really afraid that I wouldn’t fit in. Linda said, “You should come! It’s a great place! Come on!” Eventually we did.

I was so warmly received by you all – the beautiful heart of UUCB - that I very soon came to feel at home here. I signed the membership book in 2005 because I really wanted to be a full partner in this bold community. The quality of spirit I found here - that welcomed me so genuinely - and still feeds my heart - inspired me to begin asking myself what I could offer this community (now my community) that would truly reflect my value for UUCB. I felt a strong calling to do more - but how could I contribute with my whole self?

When Catherine McDonald told me the office assistant job was available, I leapt at the opportunity. Alisa interviewed me, then Bill interviewed me and two weeks later, I walked into my place of worship and began my true work.

Though my first job here was only part-time, I took my responsibilities seriously and my dedication to UUCB has grown along with my job description. I now wear many hats: front office greeter, calendar manager, document editor/publisher, web site designer and manager. But the most the most important role I have taken on is not one encompassed by any job description. Working here has given me new purpose: …. To serve the greater good of this church, to help it grow as it helps me grow in love and depth of spirit.

I am blessed with work that is fulfilling, colleagues I respect and appreciate, and by you, whom I joyfully serve.

* * *

Good Morning. I’m Don Wollwage and I’m proud to be your UUCB Facilities Manager.

As many of you know, at this time, on most given Sundays, I’m in the back of the Sanctuary (where Johnathan is now) working with light and sound, but on this day, I’m up here, happy to share my work, and history with you.

Some of you may not know that I consider myself, at heart, an artist. My parents both were classical musicians, with a deep love for music and the arts. I share that love. I have always had a love for sculpture, architecture, and jewelry.

Working as a jeweler I understand craftsmanship. I understand the concept of taking pride in your work.
And then there is the fun of immediate gratification. I consider myself lucky to have had the experience of working with jewelers of many different nationalities. We’ve worked together, sometimes in tight quarters, side by side, shared our life stories and our trade secrets. During that time I also managed a group of 45 Jewelers, as their elected president, for six years, until my family moved to California. And, at that time, I held a second job as an adjunct Professor at Chicago State University. I’ve found that patience is an attribute that serves me well for teaching.

I have also had a history of renovating the homes that I have lived in. I guess one could call that my third job. Gutting a fixer upper, and watching the transformation. That’s gratification, although, maybe not as instant.

So now I’m here with you.

Working at UUCB for two years now, I see things improving. Thanks to a good custodial staff as well as an excellent administrative staff who work together as a team, side by side. And then there is All the help, that I have received from so many of you. This congregation is blessed with resources, knowledge, and love.

Hearing your touching, personal stories of getting married here, celebrating the life of a departed loved one here, celebrating rights of passage, and so many of the important markers in your lives. This building... no... make that, this HOUSE has witnessed so much love and care, that working here really is a labor of love.

And I thank you for that.

* * *

Good morning. I am Alisa Gould Sugden, the Office Administrator at UUCB.

When I first began this job nine years ago, I felt good about the combination of administrative skills and community experience that I brought to this position. But what I love about my job is that I get to practice the things that are the most important to me.

Practice is something I have done throughout my life, starting when I was very young as a dancer and as a musician. Later in life, I learned about the spiritual practices of meditation and right speech in the Buddhist community. Living in a Co-Housing community, I learned the practices of sharing circles and good meeting skills that were needed to build our community and then sustain it.

And now in my job at UUCB, I am practicing loving.

Several important experiences have helped me to learn how to do this in this community. I learned at Leadership School that how we attend to our relationships is of utmost importance… I was involved in the Covenanting Team that worked through a productive process for a year and a half with so many groups at UUCB to write a Covenant of Right Relations. It speaks of respectful and healthy relationships, listening appreciatively, assuming good intentions, communicating directly, honestly and compassionately, particularly when we are in conflict, and of forgiveness. And I love that we have a Staff Covenant as well that the staff reads together regularly. It spells out the specifics of "expressing appreciation and encouragement, attending to group process, taking time to remember what is important, to reflect, and to play… modeling healthy relationships… attending to good stewardship of all resources."

These are all things that I longed for in previous jobs, and now they are a part of my work life here. They allow me to practice the values I hold dear… in the work I do… with others who want to do the same. They are available to guide me when I’m in conflict with others, to help me when I’m overwhelmed by my work load, and to call me back to my best self.

I am grateful for this community, for the work that we do together, and for the opportunity to practice loving together. Thank you.

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