​Like the Boll Weevil, I am now “Just a lookin’ for a home”

Submitted By Susan Greenberg

25 Old Jackson had been my “second home” since 1981 when we enrolled our 3-year old son in the Co-op Nursery School. I fulfilled my co-op responsibility by being on the facilities committee. I helped to paint the walls in the classroom wing. Larry helped construct the sand box on the playground. I was still a member of the Unitarian Society in Rockland County and did not sign the membership book at FUSW until 1982.
 
Being part of the RE program, program groups, finance and pledging, and serving on the Board, all came later.
 
This history may be what has compelled me to stay with the building and bear witness to the devastation, to mask up and boot up to endure the foul air and cruddy floors. I needed to rescue her and make her presentable even as I realized it would be for a future owner.
 
As a congregation we cannot and should not return. We have found a good temporary home at South Church for worship and for gathering in small groups once Covid allows.  We have each other and can still experience our faith community.
 
But there are many aspects of my connection to FUSW that were reliant on the location. What would I imagine for our future home Where do we want to settle when and if we have the members and the means?
 
I believe we want to share the space, whether we be the primary owners, or whether we be shared tenants. This is environmentally as well as financially responsible.
We want members to feel welcome at any time in the building and on the property – with appropriate security and safety measures.
I want the location to be accessible – by public transportation, by individuals with mobility challenges, and via highways from many areas of the county.
I want the location to be within a 5-mile radius of 25 Old Jackson, to minimize travel changes for our current members.
I imagine two large rooms, to facilitate worship as well as multi-generational activities.  The era of age-differentiated classroom gatherings for youth and children no longer has appeal.
I imagine needing only a minimal kitchen.
I want some space for gathering outdoors, even if we reclaim a black topped parking lot. 
I need my home away from home.  
 
What do you want?
 
Susan Greenberg
February 21, 2022