Category: History

From:  Kathy Osuch (Secretary of the Board)

Subject:  Announcement of Special Congregational Meeting

Time:  Sunday (2 August 2026) at 12:00 noon or immediately following the worship

Location: Large conference room in The Highland Center
520 Olive Street, Shreveport  LA  71104 or online (Zoom link provided before meeting)

Please join us for this important congregational meeting where we will:

1. Discuss various options for moving forward in a new space
2. Receive information and have an opportunity for input on the possible purchase of the property at 641 Olive Street, Shreveport LA  71104

Please see “A Message from Our Board President Susan Yellott (5 July 2026)” for more information.

A special mesage from our Board President:

Dear Friends,

We stand on the threshold of an exciting new chapter in the seventy-six-year long story of All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church of Shreveport.  We are often reminded that our church is not simply a physical structure, but a loving group of humans joined together searching for truth and upholding our values of beloved community.  However, families need homes and over time, they typically move from one home to another as needs change.

Over two years ago our congregation decided for various reasons that we needed to find a new building to house our church family.  This decision was not taken lightly but came about with much forethought.  Our first step towards that goal was to sell the building we are currently using at 9449 Ellerbe Road.

This step will be completed with the closing on July 22nd.

In the beginning, we tentatively surveyed the quickly changing market, but it’s gotten much more focused and intense these past few months as we knew a sale on the Ellerbe Road property was forthcoming and we would be in a situation where we could act.  Options include building another structure, renting a structure, sharing space with another religious institution, buying an already existing building, etc.  We’ve polled membership and have gotten some responses.  We’ve considered our dedication to the eight principles specifically our reverence for the interdependent web of life and where our congregation can be strategically located to provide service, as this is our prayer.

One of the options considered was finding an already existing building.  We, with the help of our realtor, Tena Hines, have scoured the market diligently, taking into consideration all the suggestions we have received from membership and contemplating what our needs are, including location, size, price, aesthetics, future growth, etc.  We want to fulfill our obligation to you and try to find a location that is a good fit for this congregation.

Taking your suggestions into consideration, we have located a building that appears to be very promising.  It is at 641 Olive Street not too far from the Highland Center, an institution that we often partner with.  It’s accessible to public transit, is in a central location, has parking, room to grow, and a large green space with trees.  The building is slightly smaller than what we were originally looking for and it will need to be remodeled as it is not currently set up as a church, but we are hopeful that the construction style and low asking price will give us more flexibility in this renovation.

As a Board, we were proactive and elected to put in a contingent bid on this property to take it off the market for 45 days.  This will give all stakeholders the opportunity to tour the building and attend a presentation with an architect who has some innovative ideas for this structure.  The bid is $285,000.  Please understand that this bid will hold the property and a transaction will not occur without the culmination of the sale of the Ellerbe Road property as well as a positive approval vote from you, our congregation.

We look forward to positive discussions and collaboration.  Please plan to participate in a special congregational meeting on August 2, 2026, where we will vote whether or not to go forward with this building. This meeting will be held in the large conference room at the Highland Center, 520 Olive Street directly following our church service.

I am sending this on behalf of your Board of Directors.

Much Love,
Susan M. Yellott, Board President
All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church

Announcement of Special Congregational Meeting

• Date:  Sunday, 16 April 2023
• Time:  Following the 11:00 AM worship service
• From:  Rovena Windsor, Board Secretary
• To:  All Active Members, Inactive Members, and Friends

In accordance with the Bylaws of our church, and as Secretary of the Board, I hereby announce that All Souls will hold a Special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, 16 April 2023, immediately following the 11:00 AM worship service.

On the Agenda

1. Approval of the Draft Minutes of the 5 March 2023 Congregational Meeting.
2. A review of the budgetary realities presented at the 5 March 2023 Congregational Meeting, as detailed here in the Draft Minutes of that meeting.
3. Discussion and vote on the potential sale of the current property at 9449 Ellerbe Road, Shreveport LA as recommended by the members of the Board.

We know this is a hard and emotional vote.  We encourage you to read the minutes of the last congregational meeting and to attend this meeting and let your voice be heard (either in person in the sanctuary or via Zoom.

We are announcing time and location for next congregational meeting:

• Date:  Sunday, 5 March 2023
• Time:  1215 PM
• Location:  All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church (9449 Ellerbe Road, Shreveport LA  71106) or on Zoom.

On the Agenda:

• Realities of the 2023 Budget

We must have a quorum.

Congregational meetings are open to all but only active members of 30 days or longer may vote.

We have an updated agenda for our upcoming congregational business meeting on Sunday (29 January 2023).

We are announcing time and location for next congregational meeting:

• Date:  Sunday, 29 January 2023
• Time:  1215 PM
• Location:  All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church (9449 Ellerbe Road, Shreveport LA  71106) or on Zoom (Link // meeting ID — 872 7273 9606)

On the Agenda:

1. Discussion of budgetary concerns
2. Selection of the 2023 Nominating Committee

We must have a quorum.

Congregational meetings are open to all but only active members of 30 days or longer may vote.