Hello, folks! I’ve officially been with the congregation for 6 weeks now and what a joy it continues to be! I’ve been settling into my office, connecting with staff, councils, committees, the Board of Trustees, and meeting as many of you as possible. I attended my first Board retreat and was moved by the Board’s faithful commitment to the needs of the congregation. I’ve created covenants with the Board and Rev. Sally to guide our work together and the entire staff and I will be retreating in October to create our new staff covenant. We’ll be sharing those covenants in upcoming ENews and sharing them also in an upcoming service.’

I’ve also met with the Ministerial Transition Team, who’ve agreed to serve in that capacity for my first six months, to help me set priorities, hold me accountable, and guide me in deepening relationships in the congregation and the broader community. I’m looking forward to connecting with the Social Action Council and with our justice partners in Champaign-Urbana and across the state in the coming months. 

Rev. Sally and I will both be available for pastoral needs and we are creating a schedule that will allow us to rotate being on-call for emergencies. We’ll share that once it’s finalized and in the meantime, feel free to reach out to either or both of us. 

I’m experimenting with a work schedule that provides balance for all of the work ministry requires. For the next 6 months or so, I plan to be in the office and available for appointments and meetings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and Sunday afternoons. Saturday will be my Sabbath and  Mondays and Fridays will be what I’m calling “flex” days – devoted to writing and study time, with Monday’s being a day I plan to have “community office hours” at different local coffee shops. Stay tuned for more information about that.

I’m excited to continue to meet folks and to imagine the work we will do together. This community is a warm, welcoming place filled with loving people and I am beyond blessed to be your minister. 

With gratitude and love,

Rev. Beth