This month’s Soul Matters Theme, Embracing Possibility, could not be better timed! After 10 long years, the patent has finally been approved! This effort just goes to show how ingenuity, desperate circumstance, and a little creative marketing can go a long way! Blessings, Aaron
Budget Saved! Patent Approved!
Worcester- The near-tragedy struck early one Spring morning, when, after months of closed doors, the exterior door to the church was propped open, and a fresh, warm breeze blew throughout the building. Little did they know that with open doors often come visitors. In this case, little four-legged ones. First spotted scurrying down the hallway and rounding the corner into the sanctuary, the chipmunk seemed to know where it was heading because, despite the Sexton’s best efforts, it wasn’t found, that is, until the next morning.
“The little guy looked like he’d been paddling all night.” Said Dee Hudson, Sexton of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester, when she found the furry little creature going under, for what would have been his last time, if it hadn’t been for the custodian’s kindness.
“We believe in the inherent worth and dignity of all beings,” said Rev. Aaron Payson, commenting on the efforts of his staff. “The little tyke survived by the grace of the Spirit of Life, and we are so happy for that!”
Leo Silva, who chairs the Garden-On Team, wrote a day later pondering if there was something we should do in order to prevent a repeat event. “Chipmunks are native to this area. Our group is concerned with making certain that all beings are able to participate fully in our community. We just wanted to make certain that we did all we could do to prevent this kind of thing from happening again. That’s when the Director of Religious Exploration, Robin Mitzcavitch, who has been described by many in the community as “crafty,” came up with a brilliant solution.
Modeled after the window safety-ladders in many homes, Ms. Mitzcavitch fashioned a mini-ladder out of pieces of scrap metal left in her office by someone cleaning out their attic. “We hang one of these in each of our 6 toilets for safety purposes, and we’ll never have to face the possibility of another near drowning.” She presented her proposal to the Board the next week, and with tremendous accolades, the project was approved, and funds were sought to fashion 5 more toilet mini-ladder prototypes. “We have the safest commodes ever!” Boasted Melissa McKeon, President of the Board, who later joined the group that Robin put together for a ladder-making workshop in the Fellowship Hall of the church. “I’ve never welded before, and I’m glad to learn. Especially given the need for this particular product.”
Hailed as a genius concept by the head of the US Patent Office, the “Commode Safety Rungs” or CSRs, as they’re referred to informally, are scheduled for mass production in the Fall of 2026 and are thought to be the monetary windfall the congregation was looking for in order to meet its current budget needs.
“We needed this boost in revenue badly,” commented David Schowalter, one of the Captains of this year’s congregational Stewardship Drive. “We’re still waiting for more pledges to be returned in the next few days. We have our fingers crossed. It would be great if we could completely fund our budget with pledges and could then use the income from the CSRs. A lot of people could be helped in our community with that kind of income! After all, it is April 1st, and the pledges are due!”