Thank you for the wonderful early sabbatical “Bon-Voyage” pizza party, everyone! (With special thanks to René Wiley and Gail Schulz for all the planning and preparation, and to Tom Wernigg for his wonderful song written for the occasion.) You are sending me into these 6 weeks of sabbatical-renewal with much love and genuine support, and I am feeling deeply grateful.
You are also sending me with a warm winter hat and a can of bear spray! I’m grateful for each of those gifts as well.
If you didn’t attend or tune in last weekend, it may help you to know that there is a bigger than life cutout of me somewhere in the building. You may be surprised – or startled – to see me there in October. It was brought out last Saturday as a playful resource should you begin to worry in my absence. Since then, we’ve been having fun laughing about my twin’s potential Flat Stanley adventures while I’m away.
As we all prepare to enter our 6 weeks of Sabbatical-Renewal, it may help you to know a few things:
Most of the out-of-the-ordinary decisions that might typically come to the Minister will go to UUCM’s wonderful and skillful President, Pam Kisor. When in doubt, Pam’s a good starting place. As President, Pam will also oversee staff and will be able to authorize spending from the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. Pam and the Board will have the support of UUA staff, should they need it. You may contact Pam at President@uugrassvalley.org Of course, I know that the Board will have your thoughtful support as well.UUCM’s amazing Lay Pastoral Care Team – George Dunstan, Gwen Eymann, Carol Richey, Corrie Silva, and Tom Wernigg – will be working together to serve UUCM’s pastoral care needs, with the professional support of a ministerial colleague in the wings should they need it. If you find yourself facing a life challenge, don’t hesitate to contact them, individually or via Caring@uugrassvalley.org.The fantastic Worship Team has been working hard to get all the services for the next 6 weeks and beyond prepared in advance. You can expect fabulous services, as always.The Worship Team will be supported by Bob Miller and volunteers in the Audio-Visual department, and through specific support from Siobhan Boylan, who we have hired to create the weekly Tech outlines and to edit and upload the Sunday service videos to YouTube.We will hire the new Music Director in November, after I return. Meanwhile, accompanists are hired through November to work with UUCM musicians and the Worship Team to offer great musical experiences. Alert: We expect to offer both an adult and a children’s choir opportunity in November and December.UU 101 sessions for newcomers will continue monthly, facilitated by Kate Canan and others from the Membership Team. The next Starting Point series for those who want to dig in and/or to consider joining, will begin in November.The Ministry Council – made up of leaders from the various ministry teams – will be co-led by Vice-President René Wiley and Kern Hildebrand. Monthly meetings encourage connection, communication, support and learning, and René and Kern bring complimentary gifts to their shared leadership. The various talented and generous ministry team leaders will continue to offer all of the usual week to week, month to month work that makes UUCM happen.Singing Meditation and the Spirituality Sharing Circle continue as usual.Office Manager Carol Fulkerson will continue to be your primary contact regarding administrative and database information – information about your pledge, your contact information, which mailing lists you are on, etc. Carol also schedules Zoom meetings and manages building scheduling through the website. Carol is the friendly and helpful face staffing UUCM’s office from 8:30 to noon, Monday through Friday, and she will direct you to the best places to get your questions answered: Admin@uugrassvalley.org or 530-274-1675.Communications Coordinator Mary Lindsay handles, well… communication. Mary is responsible for the eChalice, UUCM’s website, Facebook, and Instagram accounts, the content of Sunday slides, and for channeling information to the Mt. Chalice. Mary has created and continues to fine-tune a one-stop-shopping website form through which leaders and organizers can submit information regarding upcoming UUCM events, announcements or articles, and invites you to designate all the places you want that information to show up. Mary will be present this Sunday morning, October 2, so that you may meet her in person! To reach Mary email Communications@uugrassvalley.org.In the event that an internal challenge arises, the Board will gather a wise and skillful team to address it with care, kindness, and clarity.I will be fully (really, completely) out of UUCM action from October 3 through November 14.
Okay, that’s a lot of info. The final thing that it may help you to know, is that “all will be well” and that UUCM is in wonderful hands – and hearts – including yours.
Have a rich six weeks, and if I don’t see you Sunday, know that I look forward to connecting again starting November 15.
With care,
Rev. Kevin
