Despite all that is happening in the world right now, I can’t help but feel a sense of hope and optimism whenever I am at church. We are currently experiencing more volunteer energy than I have seen in quite a while, as evidenced by our successful stewardship season and our robust social justice and democracy work. First UU feels more than ever like a haven for community, acceptance, and love. While none of this is possible without our current members and friends, it is also important to remember and honor those who have come before us. For two Sundays in June, we had the opportunity to do just that.
On Sunday, June 8 we dedicated the Sanctuary foyer in honor of Nevin and Susanne Rupp’s long-time service to the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Antonio. Nevin and Susanne were active members of First UU for over 50 years.
In addition to a tenure as Board President in 2001-2002, Nevin served on the Sanctuary Committee. He played a key role in negotiating the construction contract and supervising construction of the sanctuary. Susanne was a long-time member of the choir. Their generous support of First UU continued after their passing with a legacy gift to the Capital Campaign fund.
Also on Sunday, June 8 we awarded the Wade Richmond Memorial Scholarship to Charlotte Blackwood. Wade Richmond was the son of Jack and Laura Richmond, members and strong supporters of the church for close to 50 years. Wade and his brothers grew up attending RE at First UU. Sadly Wade passed away in 1984 at the age of 17 following a grand mal epileptic seizure. He was a senior at Lee High School at the time. Wade was a young man known to be a helpful, compassionate, thinking person, interested in making a personal effort to better the world around him. After his death Jack and Laura established two scholarships in his name: one at First UU Church and one at Lee High School.
These scholarships are awarded yearly to high school seniors who share Wade’s qualities. In addition to the yearly scholarship, we also have a Wade Richmond Memorial Garden here on campus, located between buildings two and three. The renovation currently being done on building two will feature a new front entrance directly across from the memorial garden to greet everyone who enters our campus.
Finally, on Sunday, June 15 we held a farewell reception for Rev. Art Severance and his wife Cathie who are moving up to Austin to be closer to family. Rev. Art served as First UU’s solo minister from 1991 to 2007. It was during his tenure that our beautiful Sanctuary was built. Our congregation later voted to bestow the title of Minister Emeritus following Rev. Art’s retirement from full-time ministry. We have been blessed to have Rev. Art in the pulpit as a guest speaker many times in recent years.
We give many thanks to the Rupps, Richmonds, Severances and many other individuals and families who, over the years, have made First UU the beacon of hope and love here in San Antonio.