— by Lois Chazen

FORREST CHURCH—SENIOR MINISTER
For the last ten years, Forrest Church has served as Chairman of the Mayor’s Council on the Environment. Originally appointed under Mayor Giuliani, and invited to chair the Council in 1993, he was recently reappointed to the post by Mayor Bloomberg. The Green Markets, where one can purchase fresh produce once a week at 36 outdoor locations throughout the city, were established at Forrest’s suggestion. The Community Garden Parks, another of the Council’s projects, have increased in number from 40 to 50 within two years.

Forrest is a Board Member of the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute. In 1998, he was appointed to the Board’s Executive Committee and this year, he has been named Chair of the Program Committee. Forrest disclosed that this year’s humanitarian award, given under the Institute’s auspices and reflecting its principles, will be given to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. The presentation will be made in Holland in the spring.

Freedom From Fear: Finding the Courage to, Love And Be is Forrest’s latest book, to be published by St. Martin’s Press. Among other essays, he has written an article for the April 2004 issue of Men’s Magazine with the intriguing title, “Ten Quick Moves to Get Your Soul in Shape.” In February he will speak at a Unitarian church In Milwaukee.

Recently, on Anniversary Sunday, Forrest was recognized along with congregants who have reached the 25-year membership watermark at All Souls.

GALEN GUENGERICH—ASSOCIATE MINISTER
Galen Guengerich happily reports that he has completed and submitted his dissertation on his theory of Justice. He examines the concept through several disciplines including philosophy, theology and law. Galen completed his studies at the University of Chicago Divinity School.

Galen is a board member of the Interfaith Alliance Foundation, which aims, among other goals, to work towards a more inclusive stance for all religious groups. The foundation hopes to minimize the use of religion in politics and will be watching the upcoming presidential election closely.

One of Galen’s on-going projects, All Souls at Sundown, takes place on the first Sunday of each month. Galen reports that many new members have been attracted to All Souls by this stimulating presentation of jazz and poetry in the Sanctuary. As advertised and delivered, it is “worship in a different light: an evening meditation of jazz and poetry.” Galen also continues on the Advisory boards of Musica Viva and the New York City Audubon Society. Galen and Forrest share the microphone of the Sunday morning broadcasts on WQXR, which may be heard on the first and third Sundays of the month.

JAN CARLSSON-BULL—ASSISTANT MINISTER
In October, Jan Carlsson-Bull was named District President of the Metro New York Chapter of the Unitarian Universalists Ministers’ Association (UUMA). Jan reports that it is a collegial organization that she very much enjoys. They have an annual retreat in April. She is a member of the National Board of the UU Trauma Response Committee. The Committee’s work includes basic training for volunteers, the preparation of care packages for disaster victims and other relief work. The Committee was very active at the serious fires in California this fall.

As a member of the UUA Committee on Social Witness, Jan evaluates proposals for Study/Action issues and is a member of the Review Panel that will draft recommendations to the Board of Trustees on the current topic: Civil Liberties.