Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

Weaving the Web

February 23, 2007
Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern

As I said in last Sunday’s sermon, I am embarking on an adventure into the unknown, and while most of you aren’t about to become first-time parents, you are too! This is an exciting time in the life of UUCPA and also, like most exciting times, a rather anxious one. We have many changes underway and that is never easy. But as I also said on Sunday, we are adventurers and explorers by nature, used to walking confidently into unmapped territory. The strength and resourcefulness of UUCPA never ceases to amaze me, and I have complete faith in our ability to thrive through this period of transition.

The leadership we need is in place. We have as strong a Board of Trustees as I have worked with since beginning my ministry here, and they are looking ahead to plan the next several years of professional leadership. The Rev. Alicia McNary Forsey’s skill in working with congregations in transition will be a great support, in addition to her fine preaching and pastoral care. Since she is part-time, various staff and members have stepped up to take on many of the tasks of the parish ministry during the next few months. Our Children’s Religious Education program is thriving, as are Coming of Age and Adult Religious Education, so that we are in a strong place both to say the difficult goodbye to Darcey, and to welcome our next Minister or Director of Religious Education.

Babies don’t allow a lot of time for reflection, so unfortunately, the formal conversations about my request to serve half-time for the ten months following my maternity leave will happen during that leave. There has been some understandable confusion about how half-time ministry would work and what it means … How will I lead? (Confidently!) Is this an unusual request? (No, though it is new territory for a congregation that has only recently called women to its ministry.) Am I committed to returning to full-time ministry at UUCPA? (Yes!) Can the congregation afford it? (Yes! — the added financial cost is small.)

I have asked for this time because the first year and a half of a baby’s life seems like a very difficult period for a mother to also carry out the intense, evenings-heavy work that is ministry to a congregation. Part of my calling is to model delicate balances such as parenting and professional work. On the other hand, I would miss UUCPA much too much if I didn’t maintain that half-time commitment, and I want to do what will be best for both the congregation and my child. In my first ministry, I served a church half-time and I know how well it can work — and that was without an expert partner such as Alicia, or the strong infrastructure of lay leadership we have here. I love UUCPA and each of you and I have every intention of staying for the long haul.

The Maternity Leave Task Force, the Finance Committee, the Board of Trustees, and the Committee on Ministry can answer most of your questions, but if you have questions specifically for me, or concerns about what this period of half-time service would mean for my ministry with you, I hope you will take this chance to speak with me directly. I can be reached at home (the number is in the directory) until labor begins!

Experienced parents keep telling me how fast time flies when you’re raising your children, so I know it will be June before we know it. Until then, be well, enjoy the adventure, and know you have all my love and my

— Blessings,
Amy