George Lally's Activities since Last Mtg.

George Lally
ACTIVITIES SINCE LAST MEETING

I did five "Walkabouts" of the proposed "Circumferential Meditation Path" with:   
Ben Logan, Bonnie Moreno, Karen Hager, Lisa Evanylu, David and Annette Burr, Dean and Sally Mook, Gloria Heath, and Marquita Hill, the purpose being to familiarize all with the proposed route and to stimulate thinking and conversation about the path, and on other landscape features and elements and on the total design plan; and to build  support.

I had a long conversation with architect and UUC member Bruce Ferguson re the pros and cons of the UUC implementing that portion of its long term plan which calls for an eventual parking lot on the current 'front lawn' which slopes to Hardwood Drive. Bruce made several persuasive points against that plan:

1. It would seriously degrade the beautiful view from the sanctuary windows. (Bruce observed that the beautiful views from the sanctuary are very often cited by first-time  visitors as having made a very positive first impression)
2. We could solve future overflow parking concerns simply by encouraging members to park along Gladeview Dr and Hardwood Drive, and, for that matter, along the lower portion of our entrance drive as we used to do. Bruce and Karen Grey both  stated that they would be willing to pledge to park on the street and that others could do so too.
3. I have outlined the proposed path with tiny 'marker' flags to facilitate self-directed "walkabouts".

ADDENDUM:  EARLY IDEAS FOR A PROPOSED 'PREAMBLE'  TO OUR EVENTUAL PLAN.

This long-range plan for the development and utilization of our UUC grounds promulgates and affirms the following principles:

• The UUC 'Worship Space' encompasses our entire grounds and is not limited to the Meeting House where we customarily conduct Sunday services .
• Viewed in that light our grounds inspire us to reverence, respect and stewardship for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

"...A serious house on serious earth it is,
In whose blent air all our compulsions meet,
Are recognised, and robed as destinies.
And that much never can be obsolete,
Since someone will forever be surprising
A hunger in himself to be more serious,
And gravitating with it to this ground,
Which, he once heard, was proper to grow wise in,
If only that so many dead lie round..."
[from: 'Church Going', by Philip Larkin] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTRYBKIaD30

This plan will not be implemented in its entirety overnight, but is divided into priorities, phases and modules.