Presented by Linda Thompson on June 16, 2024
The Elsie Gaudette Award has been well written about and included in the uumiddleboro.org website with its history and pictures. Elsie was a human dynamo of energy, dedicated to serving this church in any and every way she could.
As is our custom, when a person who exemplifies the kind of dedication and love for this church comes to our attention, the Congregation speaks up and writes letters to nominate them for the Elsie Gaudette Award. It is a tremendous honor to be nominated and an even greater recognition to be chosen. There were many letters this year for our 19th honoree.
He will say he did nothing anyone else wouldn’t do, say it was nothing special, he just felt he could help. But he did, and they didn’t.
A church needs many volunteers with many diverse skills to keep the train on the track. Some skills are manual, some engineering, some custodial, some advisory, some supportive, and some cautionary, some vocal, some behind the scenes, and some professional. We have been lucky, because we have that guy!
Our guy has been a steadying influence in our church. His “real” job has been advising churches on financial and membership needs, guiding them to make good sense decisions. He has run informational workshops and discussion classes. He is an author and consultant and headed up a fine infrastructure Adult RE course alongside an earlier EGA recipient.
He has served as a Guest Minister on purpose and sometimes last minute. He is both entertaining and enlightening. He is not afraid to make us face our responsibilities and think long term. He helped set up a sound donation accounting system for FUUSM. Our website has been expanded and greatly improved in what has been his spare time.
Covid hit us one spring! What to do? Was that going to be what would silence UUs in Middleboro? NO. With Alan Melchior and Bob Waterman, he stepped up to organize the Tech Team, strengthening the underlying technology to livestream or record our church services and events. He continues to improve our livestreaming capabilities in building a new sound system.
When the Avis Clay Parlor Committee needed some muscle and help, he and others just stepped in to do what he could.
When our hardworking secretary, Valarie Ortelt, needs some help and guidance, he has been by her side to help with computer help or any other guidance needed.
His contribution to our Music program is legendary!! He is a very talented soloist, bass in the choir or whatever other part his wife asks him to do. He can sing, dance and cavort around in velvet as it strikes him.
And he is a proud son who loves his talented mother as she approaches old age. His love for her is so obvious and caring.
Though I may have missed some of the help he has provided, I am pretty sure you know who is this year’s recipient of the Elsie Gaudette Award. Please come forward, Dan Hotchkiss, and receive your just due.
