The remarks from board members and myself at our holiday services all reflected the many ways we hope to reinforce the sense of "connectedness" that makes Micah the place where we want to share our joys and receive comfort at times of need.

We are also part of a larger community, Washington D.C., and we are mindful of our responsibilities as a resident of this city. The board recently voted for a resolution supporting D.C. statehood that will be presented at the Union for Reform Judaism Biennial gathering in November. We are a committed member of our urban home, and this support for statehood stands with our long-held assistance to local public schools, the IONA Senior Services and other neighbors in need.

Closer to home, as we grow in size, we risk losing the town square ability to know what is going on simply by listening to the chatter in the galleria. I have therefore asked members of the board to serve as liaisons with the numerous groups that infuse Temple Micah with its vibrancy. The benefit from this should be two-fold. First, we can ensure that each of these many groups--ranging from Micah Cooks to the MITY youth group to Kulanu--receive the support and recognition they need. The liaisons will also allow the board to have a better, more complete sense of the goings on in the temple community. This is not an attempt to micro manage, because we know that these home-grown activities are well able to operate without any interference, but is more an effort to create better communication.

Financial stability and integrity are also key board responsibilities. Our treasurer has kept us on good footing, with a clear view of our fiscal condition. Our finances are strong, in part due to members' willingness to participate in the fair share dues structure. In recent years, we have provided to each family unit a suggested dues amount that reflects a small percent increase from the previous year's payment. Because members calculate their dues based on an ability-to-pay formula, we would expect an annual increase for most members to match increases in annual income. We also recognize that each family faces unique financial conditions, allowing for adjustments when the need arises. Phil K. and Lee F. are undertaking a review of our dues structure to make certain that it remains fair and adequate. More on that in later letters.

Wishing you all a bountiful Thanksgiving.