Greetings, Heritage Family,
By now, you have heard that I will begin serving as your contract minister in September. I am so grateful for this opportunity. I never imagined this as a possible outcome as I began my seminary studies or even as I graduated from Meadville Lombard a year ago. I assumed that Barb and I would be packing up for another congregation in another city around now.
We are excited that circumstances will allow us to remain in the area and part of this faith community for at least a couple of years. So many things had to fall in place for this to happen. I appreciate all of those involved in the process. And it was quite a process!
Special thanks to your board and the transition team. They had to navigate the challenges of being both “patiently anxious” and “anxiously patient” at this important juncture in the life of a nearly two-century-old congregation. That special set of skills that define great lay leadership were on full display (vision, courage, compassion, and collaboration– to name a few). And who would have guessed that Jaime and Susan had such metaphorically broad shoulders?
As a congregation, you did some hard work in considering your next step. Successful 23-year-ministries are virtually unheard of these days. And the conclusion of any ministry brings some complexity.
It was essential that you considered your path forward (through surveys, cottage, and town hall meetings). Your board and the transition team weighed the risks and benefits of having a member of the congregation step into the role of minister. In religious terms, we call this process “discernment” – weighing with head and heart.
For someone called to ministry, “discernment” is an ongoing task. Since Jaime first contacted me to see if I would consider serving HUUC, it has been a nearly daily query. At first, I focused on all the reasons why I should not do so. Tradition, for one. In UU circles, ministers rarely serve what was once their own congregation. Doing so requires a shift in relationships with folks who have known them in other contexts. This is not the place to go into detail about how our relationships will change. But they will. Barb and I have spent a lot of time on this area of discernment.
Discernment for the congregation is, perhaps, just beginning. Over the summer, you will be working with Rev. Mitra and Rabbi Jonathon to consider how the church is changing. You will begin exploring a future without Rev Bill Gupton. They will coach you on how to embrace a new ministry. This will help your board and me establish goals for how we will work collaboratively to clarify, pursue, and achieve that vision.
Speaking of Bill Gupton … Wow! This has been a time of immense celebration and myriad emotions. Having been here for the whole 23-year ride, I have watched what collaborative leadership looks like. The meme that comes to mind is of my minister driving a motorcycle with a lay leader (who looks a lot like me) in an attached sidecar that says, “The Other Bill.” The motorcycle could have gone faster or gone along more winding paths, but without shared leadership the congregation would not be as healthy as it is today. I (and we) have been blessed by his leadership.
I will be away for much of the summer – resting up for our exciting September. You will experience a short time without an official minister. The ministry of the congregation will go on, though. Lay leaders and professional staff will handle the day-to-day church activities as they do during ministerial sabbaticals and vacations. Laci, guests, and a great worship team will fill the pulpit. Consultants will be ready if big things pop up. A newly elected board will be in place, and they will reach out to me in the event of significant pastoral crises.
Again … Thank you for the confidence you are placing in me. I can hardly wait!
Enjoy your summer. Remember to collect some water for our ingathering Water Ceremony.
In Faith and Community,
Rev Bill Lyon
Image source: HUUC.net media library