Dear Beloved UUCUC,
On July 1, 2022, I officially became your Interim Minister.
I am so looking forward to this journey ahead with you.
I deeply believe it is a vital one.
You and I have the honor of carrying this holy flame forward together to see what we might contribute during this interim time to the long and extraordinary legacy that has been handed down from previous generations who gave so much of their lives so that this congregation might be. Here. Today. In 2022.
In my mind’s eye, I picture the interim season to be, at its core, like a thorough bike tune up.
You know what I mean.
Each spring ( most years) I take my bike in to the pros who kick the tires, wiggle the spokes, tweak the brakes and do a thorough double and triple check to see what needs replacing, what needs fine tuning and what is good to go as is.
Once I get my metal rubber hoofed steed (aka my trusty bike) back in my hands I know I can hit the road in confidence… full speed, up and down hills, through Chicago traffic even, and that I will be in excellent shape bike wise. Presuming helmet on noggin of course.
UUCUC is a top of the line beautiful 15 speed gear beauty.
And yet…
This grade A bicycle has really been through some things.
Some very Hard things.
Covid being top of the list. Reverend Florence’s illness and recent departure as well.
On top of it all,
Even the “normal” highway of life for a church will inevitably bring the full force shock of unexpected deep ruts, and impact of invisible rocks on the road.
The heat of the pavement and the cold winds of the journey’s winters also put inevitable wear and tear.
Some seen. Some unseen.
Rather than drop off our beloved congregation at the local church “repair shop”, You and I (with the wonderful help of the UUCUC Transitions Team) together will work to give our church a thorough going over and a quality tune up.
This is our chance to see, in the words of the renown life coach Anthony Robbins, “What’s not perfect yet”. Where are we leaking oil… where is our tread a bit bare… how are our brakes functioning… how well are our systems of balance and connection…
To enable this “tune up” the T- Team (Transitions Team) and I will so need the help of every single one of you.
Our promises to you:
- It will be fun!
- We won’t waste your time!
- It Will be worth it!
What we (the T-Team and I) ask of you:
To engage with all that is to come because Your voice and Your presence Really matter and are essential.
In fact?
We Cant do this without You!
Sooooooo Please keep your eyes peeled for future enews details about our Wild and Wondrous Adventures together coming up this fall kicking off in August!
We will do this essential Interim exploration and engagement the best we are able so that, come next season in UUCUC’s congregational life,
this magnificent church is ready to hit the road FULL speed and at her Best…
wind in her hair… sun on her face…
flying forward as an unfolding beloved community…
Ready and able to, together, bring Impact, Beauty, Compassion and Inspiration into the lives of every person here…
and….
Into a world in grave need of hope and change .
For today and for all the future generations to come.
Looking forward to what is to come… together.
Rev KB
Your (now) Interim Lead Minister
Next Steps: Transitions Team Planning Retreat July 15 and 16 where we will be building our team and canoodling about future plans!