Join us in repeating our building affirmation:
“We give thanks that Unity on the Bay’s right and perfect home is manifesting under the guidance of God.”
Dear Friend of Unity on the Bay,
It has been a very active year in our spiritual community!
It began with the developer who was purchasing our property requesting that our move date be moved up six months to March, necessitating an extraordinary and rapid move, which we achieved.
On March 24, we celebrated our first service in our new home at Temple Israel.
We are grateful to our community for confirming that Unity on the Bay is more than the building we occupy. Unquestionably, you have brought the spirit of our community through this time of transition. Currently, our Sunday Celebration, Family Ministry, Wednesday evening OM Hour, and Sunday and Wednesday classes and workshops are all housed at Temple Israel. We are deeply grateful for the deepening friendship and cooperation expressed by Temple Israel.
Our staff has settled into new offices located at 2800 Biscayne Blvd., where we have a Prayer Room and hold classes and meetings. We invite you to stop by any day to visit us, Monday through Thursday, from 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
Building Committee
A Building Committee was recently appointed to begin the planning for our new spiritual home. The committee consists of: Board President Eddie Dominguez (chair), Senior Minister Rev. Chris Jackson, Amy Baez, Jody Johnson and Keith Webster.
This committee will be responsible for helping chart our future course, including the development of a new strategic plan, validating and transforming our vision for the future into detailed business plans and selecting a new site for the next facility that will be the physical home of our ministry.
Jody Johnson will chair a Business Planning and Strategy Working Group and Amy Baez will lead our Congregational Care and Communication Working Group, which will function as arms of our building committee. These subcommittees will do important legwork to help us become a better version of ourselves and develop our new facility.
Strategic Planning First
We have performed an initial property search and have identified some promising locations, but a few things are clear: 1) We must first develop a strategic plan that ensures the viability of our future vision and then find the property that fits that vision. 2) The direction of the market is in our favor. There is considerable talk about a possible real estate downturn or recession, and that very soon we will find ourselves in a buyer’s market. This means property values may soon come down and make the proceeds from the sale go further. Patience could easily put us in the position of having sold high and buying low. 3) Our congregation is comfortably situated at Temple Israel and this gives us the time to be patient and smart about what we buy and/or develop.
Wealth Advisors
Over the last several months, the Board of Trustees and the Finance Committee met with numerous wealth management firms to consider proposals for the wisest manner in which to invest proceeds from our building sale. The proceeds from the sale are earmarked exclusively for transitional expenses, property-related expenses and the creation of an endowment for the benefit of Unity on the Bay and its mission.
After a lengthy and detailed search, the Board of Trustees selected BNY Mellon and City National Wealth Management. The Finance Committee is currently working with the advisors to develop Investment Policy Statements that will govern the investments. This will include ensuring that Unity on the Bay’s investments are aligned with and promote, Unity principles.
Next Steps
The Building Committee is working to identify individuals who would like to be part of the two working groups that will be key to developing our future. As soon as these groups are finalized the work will begin to take a high-level vision and begin creating an action plan.
A consultant will be engaged to help us consider how we want to show up. The first workshop will engage staff and leadership before we engage the broader community as well as focus groups to engage constituencies outside of our community and consider how we might expand.
We are deeply grateful for each one of you -- our members and friends -- for staying the course with us through this amazing, evolutionary time in our history. Together, we anticipate our continued moving forward in faith.
In spiritual unity,
Eddie Dominguez, President
Rev. Chris Jackson, Senior Minister