Unitarian
Universalist
Fellowship of
Southern
Maryland
| Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship of Southern Maryland |
Who We Are |
History of UUFSM |
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The momentum begins…In early 1993, nine long-time Unitarian Universalists found themselves living in Southern Maryland and agreed there was a need for liberal religion in their community. These nine pioneers were Rick Kelley (Minister Emeritus of the Paint Branch UU Church in Adelphi), Mary Ann Kelley and Suzy Camp (also former Paint Branch members), Davies Memorial UU church members Steve and Marianna Nystrom, and Calvert County UUs Joyce and Charles Conrad and Don and Betty Burns.Many discussions, phone calls and meetings were held, and the general consensus was that Southern Maryland was in need of and ready for a liberal religious congregation. Finally, on a cold winter morning at Suzy Camp's house, the decision was made to press on; the hardy bunch went into overdrive, picked a date, reserved a hall, submitted newspaper articles, distributed flyers, and crossed their fingers. Imagine how astonished they were when, on the evening of March 7, 1993, at that first potluck (what else), over 65 people showed up! Equally astonishing was the wish of the crowd that services begin immediately, so a collection for rent was taken, a steering committee formed, and exactly one week later, on March 14, 1993, the Fellowship's very first service was held at St. Andrew's Church. 
That
first service, with the ministerial guidance of Rick Kelley, who also
printed
the Order of Service, consisted of a sermon ("Joining the Stream of
Light" by Mary Ann Kelley), hymns (from old hymnals donated by Davies
Memorial Church), announcements and Chalice Lighting by Suzy Camp,
music by
Marianna Nystrom and, of course, that Unitarian Universalist elixir of
life…coffee!At the Fellowship's first congregational meeting, held April 25, 1993, the following Board of Trustees was elected: Chairperson Suzy Camp; Vice-Chair Don Burns; Treasurer Mary Ann Kelley; Secretary Marianna Nystrom; and Program Chair Charles Conrad; the congregation also approved the Fellowship's Bylaws. On November 3, 1993, the State of Maryland approved the Articles of Incorporation, and the Fellowship was subsequently accepted as a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association on January 24, 1994. And the momentum continues… A congregational meeting held March 20, 1994 celebrated the Fellowship's first birthday, and what a first year it was. Highlights included an achieved canvass goal, a board retreat, two Building Your Own Theology classes, establishment of a Book Discussion Group, RE classes, First Saturday Potlucks and, by the first Annual Fellowship Dinner held April 23, 1994, the Membership Book boasted 41 signatures. During those first years, services were held at various locations, including the First Presbyterian Church on Town Creek Drive and Esperanza Middle School, until the Fellowship moved to the newly-opened Chancellors Run Activity Center in 1995, where services have been held since. For the first time, there was space for RE classes, a backyard for Easter Egg hunts, a piano, and a kitchen for after-service potlucks and coffee preparation for those Sunday snacks! And who can ever forget that memorable moment when, as a precocious three-year-old, Conrad Chapman forced all to flee from the building after he pulled, not once, but twice, the Center's fire alarm …the first time requiring a visit from the fire department to show us how to shut it off before those fleeing suffered permanent hearing loss! |
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In 1995, UUFSM adopted a Mission Statement and a Vision Statement.
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As the years passed, the
Fellowship enjoyed steady growth and many memorable activities, including annual Labor Day picnics, potlucks, services led
by
visiting ministers, guest speakers from the local community and members
of the
congregation, congregational retreats, annual dinners, talent shows,
member
representation at the annual UUA General Assemblies, Joseph Priestley
District
meetings and functions, and even a Harvest Moon Ball. UUFSM's Ministers At a congregational retreat in 1997, the members in attendance voted to pursue acquiring a full-time minister through the UUA's Extension Ministry Program, assisted by various financial grants through the Unitarian Universalist Association and Joseph Priestley District. A Ministerial Search Committee was formed, and they worked diligently to prepare all the necessary paperwork required. Undaunted after the first application was rejected, the congregation voted to apply again and this second application was subsequently accepted.  In
the spring of 1999, the UUA asked Anne Dunn Herndon, a graduate of
Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., to consider joining
us. Anne and
her husband, Lee,
came to Southern Maryland and met with the Fellowship's members at a
potluck and a
picnic. After the service she led on May 16, 1999, by a
congregational vote
of 43-0, Anne Herndon was accepted as the Fellowship's three-year
Extension
Minister. The Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship of Southern
Maryland held her ordination ceremony November 21, 1999.  The
next three years were exciting ones of growth and change. Our choir
grew under the capable leadership of Alan Newhouse, and the Religious
Education program began holding summer activities for children. As the
expiration of the extension
ministry
program approached, the congregation installed Rev. Herndon as the
Fellowship's
first called minister on April
28, 2002. Compiled by Vicki Reed, former UUFSM Historian
UUFSM in 2007 UUFSM is currently lay-led and enjoys sermons by visiting ministers about once a month. We are also a member of the Church of the Larger Fellowship, which provides resources for Sunday worship. We minister to each other with discussions, reflections, and celebrations at Sunday services, and with gatherings and friendship during the week. UUFSM reaches out to the larger community by participating in Christmas in April, food drives, and other projects during the year. As UUFSM moves into its second decade, we look forward to the continuation of a healthy, vibrant and growing liberal religious Community for many years to come. email
our Historian to add to this story
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| © UUFSM 2005-2007 Last updated September 2007 Questions or problems with this page? |
