Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

Always Learning

This is my last newsletter column. By the time the next newsletter reaches your mailbox, Eric, Nick and I will be driving I90 on a leisurely drive to Ithaca, New York. Over the past year we’ve had plenty of time to think about our time together and to say goodbye. On June 10 I will co-lead worship with Rev. Amy and Rev. Alicia, and celebrate not only the end of another church year, but the end of our ministry together. The following week I will be packing up boxes and putting things in order for Eva Çeskava, the Interim MRE who will work in my office starting August 1. Rather than schedule meetings with all the good people I would love to connect with before I go, I have set aside time for 3 Open Houses, where anyone can drop by and chat (under the condition that I may need to pack the occasional book should time run short). Good times to connect with me are:

6/12		3:30		Elder Journey
		5-6:00		Open House
6/13		12-2:00		Open House
6/14		1-3:00		Open House

And then what? My UUMA guidelines are clear that a settled minister should lay low during the interim ministry that follows. The idea is that a congregation needs time to separate from the departed minister, and prepare to welcome a new settled minister or DRE. I would be breaking my covenant if I provided pastoral care or performed a wedding or memorial for a member of UUCPA during that time. After that, it would be perfectly appropriate for me to come speak at, say, the 70th anniversary party. The guidelines are not entirely clear about other things, but it seems that it is fine to correspond with one another, I just need to be very careful not to accidentally provide pastoral care, and not to listen to gossip about church life.

It has been an amazing wild ride these past 7 years together. I will keep getting your newsletter so I can see where it leads you. With Revs. Amy, Alicia, and Eva, and with all your strong lay-leadership I know you are in good hands.

— Sincerely,
Darcey