Sherri Russell's Legacy: We're Going Global!
from the Weekly News, July 16, 2006

Sherri Russell

In January of this year, we lost a beloved member of our congregation, Sherri Russell. In life, Sherri was always a vital part of our congregation. Now, in death, she still continues to impact us deeply.

Sherri named the Church as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy. That policy has paid out $116,000 to our Church.  To say that Sherri's gift was generous would be an understatement.

Sherri did not leave formal instructions for how these funds should be expended.  She left that decision to our Board of Directors. Of course, our Board members knew Sherri quite well, since she too served as a Board member until her death.  The Board has allocated Sherri's bequest to three key outreach projects.

Web Casting
First and foremost, Sherri's funds will be used to purchase the equipment necessary to begin web casting our worship services. We live in a world in which gay and transgender folks often live far from any Church that welcomes them. Many already listen to our on-line audio sermons.  We have long dreamed of being able to web cast.  Sherri's generosity has now made this possible.

Web casting equipment is not cheap, especially if we're going to do it right.  In recent months, Media Team Chair Andrea Platt has led a group of volunteers who have investigated web casting options and dialogued with equipment suppliers.  That committee has recommended, and the Board has now approved, the purchase of an equipment package costing $75,000. This includes several cameras, a sophisticated master control box and editing station, a capture station MPEG recorder, supplemental lighting, and related equipment. The equipment being purchased will also be sufficient to support television quality production when that opportunity arises.

We anticipate the system will be installed and operational by mid-September. Once that happens, anyone around the globe who has access to a computer and speaks English will be able to access our worship services. We know that Sherri will be smiling, when those first few gay and transgender people, living in far flung places, tune in and discover a life-changing message of spiritual hope.  It boggles the mind to think of how many lives will be saved in the years ahead because of Sherri's generosity -- but it doesn't stop there.

A Hand Up From Poverty
Sherri was passionate also about helping people in greatest need.  In her life, she was constantly surprising people with gracious gifts. She was especially enthusiastic about projects that help people help themselves. For that reason, the Board has set aside $32,000 to fund those types of projects. The goal is not to use Sherri's bequest for handouts, but rather for programs that can systematically help people in need better themselves.

The first project will be a new and improved Personal Financial Management Course for those who want to be more disciplined and strategic about how they use their money.  Sherri piloted this course, and now Rob Wisneski is picking up where she left off.  Registration for this course will begin in August. Related costs will come from Sherri's bequest. The Board will continue to consider other proposals and projects for helping those in need as they come along.

Building Expansion
The balance of Sherri's funds, about $9,000, has been placed in our building expansion fund. As our congregation continues to grow, we will soon need to expand the size of our worship facility.  A preliminary analysis of building expansion options was completed and reported to the congregation in March. Raising the capital necessary for a major expansion will be a formidable task.  Soon a standing committee will be established to kick this project into high gear.  Sherri's contribution gives our expansion fund a nice boost.

Words cannot express our gratitude.  Sherri gave of herself in all ways -- heart, mind, and soul; time, talent, and money. Her legacy will be felt in our congregation for years to come.