A Look Back at November 2008: Space, Spirit, and a Growing Congregation

Written By Ed Busch

by Ed Busch, UU Lansing Church Archivist

This week, I’m looking at the church newsletter for November 2008, but before diving into it, it helps to remember what else was happening in the world that month:

  • National: Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States on November 4, becoming the nation’s first Black president. The country was deep in the Great Recession, with foreclosures, plant closings, and market turmoil dominating the news.

  • State (Michigan): Michigan’s unemployment rate exceeded 9%. The future of GM and Chrysler was uncertain, and state leaders were scrambling for federal support.

  • Local: Lansing and East Lansing were tightening budgets, MSU enacted cost-saving measures, and local nonprofits were expanding services for families facing hardship.

Against that backdrop, the November 2008 UU Lansing newsletter shows a congregation full of energy, creativity, and determination—much like ours today.

And at our own 2025 Annual Meeting on November 16, we saw echoes of these themes: Treasurer Ralph Putnam reminded us to submit current-year pledge payments, which are needed to close out this year without a deficit. Meanwhile, our recent November 2025 email newsletter included a separate plea asking members to return their pledge commitments for next year, so the Board can prepare a realistic budget. Payments and commitments—both matter, and both affect our ability to plan.

Leadership and Life at UU Lansing in 2008

In November 2008, UU Lansing was led by:

  • Rev. Kathryn Bert, Minister

  • Sheila Ording, President

  • Teresa Putnam, Director of Lifespan Faith Development

Rev. Kathryn Bert, 2009. (2009.0131)

The church maintained communication through a weekly email digest and a detailed monthly newsletter—distributed by both print and email. Today, by contrast, most members receive a weekly email newsletter that carries nearly all congregational updates.

Space Challenges: From Grove Street Struggles to South Lansing Renewal

One of the clearest themes in the November 2008 newsletter was how severely the Grove Street building was stretched.

Rev. Kathryn wrote:

“Our building has limited space and much of it inadequate to our needs. We have lots of small spaces and not so many large ones.”

“If you’re not sure what I mean, just try attending the Forum on a Sunday when the Occasional Political Discussion group joins them, or join our high school group any Sunday when they try to meet together…”

She described a Board meeting devoted entirely to building use and concluded:

“It is a good sign of a healthy community to have run out of space!”

Today, that history feels especially meaningful.

In 2025, UU Lansing has just opened its remodeled west wing at the South Lansing campus—finally providing much of the space the Grove Street building simply couldn’t offer.

And the new wing supports not only us but also our partner and tenant, the Refugee Development Center (RDC), which now has appropriate office, program, and storage space for its expanding work.

For UU Lansing, the new west wing includes:

  • a workshop

  • a dedicated Archives room

  • youth and meeting spaces

  • a large multipurpose room

  • and much-needed storage space for church and RE materials

Where the congregation of 2008 struggled to find room for its programs, we now have thoughtfully designed space that supports current ministries and future growth.

Lifespan Faith Development: Celebrating Together

The November 2008 Lifespan Faith Development (LFD) section reflected a warm, communal holiday season. Teresa Putnam wrote:

“This is an opportunity for families to experience worship together.”

She also promoted the beloved Deck the Halls & Solstice Celebration:

“A fun time for children as well as adults to indulge in creative arts and craft making.”

“We’ll celebrate the upcoming Solstice with a Yule log search, an actual fire in our Fireplace Room, stories, and noisily calling back the sun.”

Her section also included this touching meditation from Family Prayers: A Sampler:

“May we hold hands quietly for a moment… knowing that as we give love away, there is always more within.”

Sunday Services Snapshot

Sunday services in November 2008 included sermons on:

  • Theology of Folksingers Lou and Peter Berryman

  • The Unitarian Controversy (and a welcome ceremony for new members)

  • We Give Thanks (a multigenerational service)

  • Slow Money, Slow Food, Slow Living

Holiday Traditions

November also featured the Alternative Holiday Sale, hosted by the Peace Education Center, then a tenant at the Grove Street church. Their message encouraged members to “give gifts that reflect your values,” with an emphasis on fair-trade goods and handcrafted items.

Today, UU Lansing continues this spirit with our own annual holiday sale—scheduled this year for December 13.

Community Life

The 2008 newsletter highlights familiar community gatherings:

  • Circle Suppers

  • Women’s Fellowship lunches

  • Pretty Good Book Group

  • and a warm welcome to new members

It’s clear that the heartbeat of the congregation—people gathering, sharing, learning—has remained steady across the years.

Stewardship: Then and Now

In 2008, Stewardship Committee member Cheryl Bartz described both generosity and urgency:

“Four weeks into the pledge drive, 146 pledges have been received… however, that still means we’re waiting for about 100 pledges!”

“Through good times and through lean times we—this congregation—survive because we all contribute whatever we can.”

“The season of ‘Thinking about Giving’ has morphed into the season of ‘Please Turn in Your Pledge!’”

While the challenge in 2008 centered on collecting pledge commitment forms, we face a parallel situation today:
In 2025, UU Lansing received $482,000 in pledges, below our goal of $540,000 and down from $517,000 last year.

The forms are different, the numbers are different—but the core concern is familiar. Stewardship is always a shared, sustaining effort.

Social Justice Work

The congregation’s activism was strong in 2008:

“They raised a total of over $900 to help fight hunger in the Lansing area and around the world.”

And with the exploration of hosting Angel Food Ministries, the newsletter explained:

“There are no qualifications, minimums, income restrictions, or applications.”

These efforts show a community deeply committed to justice—a thread running through every decade of UU Lansing’s history.

Archives Committee: Then and Now

In 2008, the Archives Committee—Ed Busch, Shirley Beckman, Pat Colburn, Irene Leland, Liz Signell, and Liz Schwarzweller—worked on:

  • monthly historical displays

  • a postcard fundraiser

  • a new church Archives webpage

  • and a project documenting ministers

That ministerial documentation later became the 2011 book:
Dedicated Lives: 162 Years of Liberal Ministry and Its Ministers in Lansing, Michigan.

Spotlight: Burr and Evelyn Osborn

The 2008 tribute to Burr and Evelyn Osborn beautifully captured their lasting legacy:

“Many people have left their mark on this church through the years. Two of those people are Evelyn and Burr Osborn. Their influence is visible today in works of art.”

Their legacy includes:

The tribute closes with a fitting remembrance:

“Evelyn has been described as ‘the heart and soul of the Women’s Fellowship.’”

Evelyn Osborn mosaics. (2007.0032)

Refurbished sign in 2010 at our Grove St. church location. Roy Erickson, Terry Kirk?, Bill Kingsbury, Chris Clampitt, Ken Zielinksi, Al Christian, Dan DeVaney, Dan Talhelm.

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

The November 2008 newsletter shows a congregation navigating tight space, budget worries, and a changing world—yet grounded in community, celebration, and shared purpose.

Sixteen years later:

  • Our space limitations have turned into a thoughtfully remodeled west wing.

  • Our stewardship rhythms echo those of earlier generations.

  • Our community life and justice commitments remain vibrant and strong.

History reminds us that UU Lansing has always adapted and moved forward. What members in 2008 hoped for, we are living today—and what we build now will shape UU Lansing’s future.

Share Your Thoughts

Your emails and stories help me know that this blog has an audience—and they genuinely brighten my day.
If you have memories, photos, or newsletters from this period, or if you simply want to share what you enjoy about these posts (or what you'd like to hear more about), I’d love to hear from you.

Please send your comments or suggestions to: uucgl.archives@gmail.com

About Me

I’m a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing and serve as the volunteer blog archivist for our congregational history series. I’m retired from Michigan State University, where I worked in digital preservation and archives. I enjoy uncovering stories from church newsletters, board records, and local history sources to help connect our past with the present. I also serve on the UU Lansing Stewardship Team and help with Building and Grounds.

This piece was developed with research assistance and editorial support from ChatGPT.

Sources

  • UU Lansing Newsletter, November 2008 (Newsletter112008.docx)

  • UU Lansing Newsletter, November 7, 2025

  • Personal notes and reflections

  • Historical references from earlier UU Lansing archives blogs

Ed Busch
Next

Echoes of 1992: Change, Challenge, and Community at UU Lansing