Changes

It’s with that curious but possibly uniquely human combination of joy and sorrow that I reflect on my recent announcement of my intention to leave as senior minister of the First Unitarian Society in Newton at the end of this church year. (For those readers not familiar with such
conventions, this means the 31st of August, upcoming…)

First, and foremost, I want to say this. It has been a joy to serve the Society for what at my leaving will have been eight years. Period. Full stop. This is a wonderful community and I know any minister who takes on this call in the future will find it astonishing in its possibilities for service. And, I hope as anyone who knows me and the
congregation can appreciate, I’m deeply saddened by my leaving. There’s that mix of things. All this fully acknowledged, possibility and sadness, I also very much feel this is the time to go.

As they say it’s been a good run. I’ve had many very wonderful years
here. And at the same time I’m aware that ministry to which I was
originally called here has come to an end. It is time for the Society
to consider what that next phase of its ongoing ministry should look
like, what should be emphasized, and what can lay fallow for a time.

Yes, it is more than reasonable, considering the rhythms of Unitarian
Universalist congregational life, to think that acknowledging an end
to our and my current ministry might include how that new ministry
could continue to include me. Particularly considering how healthy the
Newton congregation is and how my time here has been on balance so
happy. But other things must also be considered and they’ve led me to
the decision to leave.

The precipitating events unfolded like this. Last week our deservedly
much admired Society’s Director of Religious Education announced her
intention to leave her position at the end of this church year. The
Board, quite naturally, came to me to inquire about planning for our
staffing as we go forward. However, what was also going on was that
over the Summer Jan and I had decided if possible we wanted to move on
to a church closer to family, specifically nearer to Jan’s mom who
lives in Tujunga, California.

We were aware that several exciting possibilities for ministerial
service had emerged in the West and we had decided to pursue them. The
upshot was I couldn’t in good conscience advise the Board as to
possible future configurations without including my having moved on
among them. Jan & I each took a deep breath and after a deep
discussion about what the consequences would be, decided I needed to
resign as of the end of this church year. Which I proceeded to do –
and have done.

Obviously, it’s impossible to say what the future may hold.

It is likely these options will include Jan, auntie and me returning
to the West. Although one cannot in fact be certain when the dust
settles where this search process will in fact lead. Considering I’m
now in “full search,” looking for a right settlement at this time my
various options could include a church or two in the East as well as
Western possibilities.

What I feel certain of is this. As mysterious as life is, and the
uncertain path we must, each of us walk; there is in this walking
together a way of joy and possibility. And this path, without a doubt,
we are all walking in our wonderful liberal faith. It has been an
honor to be allowed to walk this way with you and I look forward to
continue a bit farther down the way with you over the next year.