A year or so ago, our long-time member Jan Johnson moved to the San Francisco area in California. In September she wrote to the Board of our church requesting that the church sponsor her as a student at Starr King School for the Ministry. (Every UU theological school student must be sponsored by a local congregation.) In her letter, Jan wrote about her religious journey and what happened to her when she came to First Church. Excerpts from her letter follow here:

Prior to becoming a Unitarian-Universalist, I had no religious affiliation. Sunday in my home was truly a day of rest. We slept late and ate big dinners. Once I had a family, I wanted my children to have a religious education, something I had not had. A friend invited me to the First Unitarian Church of Chicago stating the excellence of the church school program. My plan was to drop the children off and go back home or to sit in the back of the church and nap. Needless to say, neither of those things happened. I was so impressed with the church’s commitment to inclusiveness, the beautiful music, and thought provoking sermons that I began to attend regularly.

I officially joined the church in 1976 when my father asked me where my church envelopes were. He told me that I would never get credit for the money I put in the offering basket unless I had envelopes were. I never received any envelopes but I became part of the beloved community that nurtured and sustained me for over twenty years.

During my membership, I served on the Worship Committee, the Ministerial Relations Committees of Rev. Christopher Moore and Rev. John Gilmore, the Religious Education Council and served on the Board of Trustees for three years. I taught religious education for six years to the high school group and the fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. In 1987, I arranged for a live broadcast on public radio of the church’s Christmas Eve service featuring the Chicago Children’s Choir.

In addition to church work, I served on the Board of Directors of my housing cooperative for four years from 1985 to 1989. I also served on various committees of the board during the nineteen years I lived in the cooperative. I worked on the political campaigns of some anti-political machine candidates including both of Harold Washington’s campaigns for mayor of Chicago. I was affiliated with the Experiment in International Living for 1975-1992. During that time I hosted exchange students from Germany, Japan, Mexico, and Brazil. I was also the program coordinator for a German science class and arranged for their housing and their attendance at the local high school during their stay.

I was employed as a social worker in the Chicago Public Schools for eighteen years. I am currently working as a medical social worker in Oakland, California. In my work I am dealing with the more painful aspects of life, sickness and loss, on a daily basis. Often patients or family members request a clergy person for prayer and meditation and it was a desire to serve in that capacity that led me to apply to Starr King. Providing social work service has its rewards, but I am now seeking to connect with people on a deeper level.

Although my primary focus is not parish ministry, I am committed to all other aspects of being a Unitarian Universalist minister. In addition to a chaplaincy, I would like to be involved in religious education and in conducting celebrations of the significant events in people’s lives.

I have heard Unitarian Universalism described as a political philosophy and not a religion because of our adherence to a set of principles, offering positive support to others to our movement. I am determined to carry out the spirit’s call that directs me toward my highest expression. I hope that I have clearly stated my ministerial aspirations, what has brought me to this point and why it is important to me that First Unitarian Church of Chicago be my sponsor.

Yours in love and peace,

Janet Johnson