Adopt-a-Room

UCN is home for us. This beautiful and unique barn building is our house that has been lived in for many years. Actively, lovingly and thoroughly lived in. As any other family, we’ve accumulated stuff over the years of living here. Some of which is now simply a part of the space and unseen. Do you ever wonder what visitors see when they enter our home for the first time?

In a book entitled Love the Memories, Lose the Stuff, Ken Paxton discusses the idea that our memories are not tied to physical possessions. He writes that “Letting go of excess stuff can lead to a simpler, more intentional life that allows us to focus on what truly matters.” And, “The process of decluttering is not just about cleaning out our physical spaces, but also about creating mental space for growth and emotional well-being.”

The history here is beautiful, and the memories are to be cherished. But it’s time for us to follow Ken Paxton’s advice. Keep the memories and lose some of the stuff in order to make physical and emotional space for the new. The aesthetics committee has developed the idea of Adopting a Room. Becoming involved in Adoption would allow you to be directly involved in the renewal of our interior. You might adopt a room on your own or adopt jointly with other individuals or families.

Our rooms need 3 things:

• Decluttering. Clean up and clean out.
• Underwriting. A financial donation earmarked for a specific room.
• Renewal. Direct involvement in the renewal of the room which may include painting, wall or window décor, perhaps even furniture.

There will, of course, be guidelines for the redecoration of each space. And in consideration of the primary purpose of the room, we’ll coordinate with those most involved in the ongoing use of those rooms. There are a wealth of artifacts and resources already here in our church home. Maybe they just need to dusted and moved to best show them off.

The aesthetics committee is excited about the potential for UCN to create intentional and meaningful spaces where our memories can shine through and new memories can continue to be made. We hope that you’ll participate with us as this moves forward. Keep watching for announcements in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you may simply wander through the building with your “new vision glasses” and start imagining. "What might this look like if…?”

Please reach out to a member of this sub-committee – Cindy Kotecki, Judy DeLillo, Poul Sandersen, Todd Zumach, or Brian Bunzel with questions or to share your interest in participating.