Like many others in our church, most of my volunteer work is behind the scenes, out of the spotlight. As Web Administrator, I only draw attention when the web site is down. Fortunately, because of the stability of the hosting platform Laura Moss selected when she performed this job, that is relatively rare. The other volunteer members of our team, newsletter editor Lynn Jacobs and Friday eMail editor Francie Siegfried, have also been able to remain out of the public eye by dint of their diligence in turning out on schedule publications that we all tend to take for granted.
Since I became Web Administrator in late 2008, the Friday eMail has changed hands four times. The grind of turning out a weekly compilation of upcoming congregational events in a timely way takes a toll on people with other commitments in their lives. Fortunately, for those who receive the weekly “wake up call”, each time the position of editor has needed a new volunteer, we have gotten one. It is quite miraculous, particularly by Unitarian-Universalist standards.
In the same time frame, we have had another, quieter miracle in communications. Every time Lynn Jacobs has attempted to give up her editorial position on the newsletter, she has remained in place rather than allow the “press room” to go dark. Over the last two years, she has had some close encounters with “retirement” from the post, only to have her hopes dashed at the last moment. She still carries it on, but I believe that like an addict who has finally hit rock bottom, she will make good on her promise to quit. It will be a great loss to our community, even more so if no one comes forward to carry the torch. (Don’t look in this direction! If you do, you have no idea what else is currently on my plate.)
Somewhere out there is a newsletter editor-in-waiting. Please step forward before the flame burns out.
