Both Sides By Rev. Nina D. Grey May, 2003

Many if not most of us have learned that Rev. Marlene Walker has accepted an offer to candidate for the Senior Minister position at the Unitarian Universalist congregation in Grand Junction, Colorado. She has announced her resignation from First Unitarian Church as of July 1 and her candidating week in Grand Junction is scheduled for May 11 to 18. Beginnings of a new ministry are often times of great hope and anticipation. Announcements of endings often bring surprise and sadness and can be occasions of concern for or at the very least wondering about the future. Rev. Marlene's announcement was expressed with sadness at the prospect of leaving and hope for both our future and her own. Endings and beginnings, as in this case, are often woven together. This is a time when it is important for all of us to be intentional and also to be making openings for the spirit. This is a time to honor Rev. Marlene and all the gifts that have come to our community through her ministry, a time to be aware of the feelings and thoughts that come with change and loss. This is also a time for us to foster our hopes for our future, to be intentional about the nature of the church we want to be in the years to come.

We are both planning occasions for honoring Rev. Marlene in these last weeks of her ministry at First Unitarian Church and also taking time to make some decisions about who we want to be and how we will respond to our continuing needs for ministry. These plans will include some gatherings in celebration of Rev. Marlene and they also will include leadership and congregational meetings, consultation with the UUA about Interim Ministry, about Capital Campaigns and soon, we expect, about beginning a Vision, Mission and Covenant process. You will read more about upcoming events; some perhaps in this newsletter, and others through possible separate mailings. Please join us in being as intentional as we can be about participating in the life of First Unitarian Church during this time; I hope that you will be part of our acknowledgments of change and that you will help us to shape our future, for our young people, for our families of every kind, and for our individuals of every age. You are an important part of who we are and who we shall yet be.

I am very grateful for these years of team ministry with Rev. Marlene, for all we have learned from each other, for the ways we have stretched each other and helped each other. I received her news with sadness, yet I also know that I have much to be thankful for from the years of our ministry together. I will take time in these next weeks, to reflect on the gifts she has brought me and how I may carry them into the future, strengthening my ministry with you.

Change is not always linear and predictable. We don't have control over everything. I do believe that the spirit of Love, bigger than all of us together, is our context, the source of vision and hope, and the bearer of inspiration and creativity for us in the days ahead. May we be open to Love's kindnesses and blessings, challenges and creativity. May we take part with an open heart in the occasions of honoring and planning. May we be both intentional and open to the spirit. May we recognize the possibilities the spirit creates in times of change.

In faith, with love,

Nina