Both Sides
By Rev. Nina D. Grey
June, 2000
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Both Sides |
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We are entering a time of endings. We are coming to a time of transitions. Some of our able church leaders have fulfilled their terms in particular offices or areas of responsibility. Others will be moving onward into new areas of involvement beginning July 1, elected into positions of responsibility at our Annual Meeting. We are grateful to all our leaders and volunteers for all their endeavors.
By the time you are reading this June newsletter, Rev. Beth Williams will have led us in worship for her final sermon, May 28. After the service, in gratitude for all she has brought to us, we held a celebration of her years in ministry with us. Now, Rev. Beth will be candidating for her new ministry during the week of June 2-11. She will miss the wonder of our Flower Communion and the Church R.E. Picnic, and certainly we will feel the sadness of missing her. Yet we also hold her so warmly in our hearts and wish her the very best in her candidating. We are deeply thankful to her for the many ways she blessed our lives and church. We are confident she will enjoy a fulfilling ministry for many years to come.
We are entering a time of hopeful beginnings. New members are joining with longer-time members to enrich all our lives. Some of our leaders are enriching their experience and knowledge of Unitarian Universalism by attending General Assembly or leadership training programs. We are growing in our sense of ourselves as an intergenerational community, as we welcome the participation of all ages in our worship life, including their involvement in providing some of our instrumental music. Our Social Justice Council and Charlotte Lackner Anti-Racism Committees are continuing in their development of purpose and programs. Our lifespan Religious Education program and all areas of our life together will continue to strengthen and flourish as we look forward to the future.
During June 3-11 we will be meeting our candidate for the Ministry for Religious Education, Rev. Marlene Walker. The Search Committee for the Ministry for Religious Education has been in a profound and wonderful process. They felt both pride and humility in their work, knowing they represented all of you. Their responsibility was awesome as they sought to choose the very best person to help lead us forward in ministry. Working closely with them, I felt blessed by their dedication and wise reflection.
The Search Committee members are joyful and enthusiastic about presenting Rev. Walker to the congregation as their unanimous choice. There will be many opportunities for you to meet Rev. Marlene and begin to get to know her, as candidating week proceeds.
I believe our congregation's future is bright. We are experiencing a hopefulness and a progress forward in many areas of church life. There is plenty of room in our church's ministry for the participation of all of us. As we move into new beginnings, may each find opportunities to grow in ways that feed your spirits. May each find meaningful ways to offer your gifts for the enriching of our community.
In faith, with love,
Nina