June 2016- Ministerial Resident Diana McLean's reflections

Our June theme is Simplicity. I'm laughing to myself as I write that--knowing that the month of June is anything but simple for me, and probably for many of you!
As those of you who were in worship on May 22nd heard, the search committee of the Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Church in New Hampshire selected me as their candidate for settled ministry. I'll be with them June 3-12 for Candidating Week, and at the end of that week they will vote on whether or not to call me to serve as their settled minister. While I'm away, you'll have some wonderful guest speakers--June 5th will be seminarian Elizabeth Mount, and June 12th will be Mary Louise Gerek, a member of our partner congregation, Foothills Unitarian Church in Fort Collins.
 
From June 20-26, I'll be attending General Assembly in Columbus Ohio, along with a few thousand other Unitarian Universalists! If you have never attended a General Assembly, I invite you to consider it at some point in the future. It's a great way to connect with our larger faith. I go as your ministerial delegate, representing this congregation during business sessions. Those of you who love governance might enjoy being a lay delegate someday--and if that's not your thing, there are workshops, worship services, and social justice activities to suit just about anyone's interests.
As our summer begins, whatever your own plans may be, I wish you joy--lots of sunshine and bright blue skies, time enjoying your favorite outdoor activities, relaxation with friends and family. Congratulations to all our children, youth, and young adults, from preschool through college, on finishing another year of school and having summer break ahead! (Congratulations to our teachers, too!)
 
Over the summer, decisions will be made about next year--what leadership will look like, who that leader will be, and how you will move forward with them in the shared ministry of this congregation. We have a strong--fully staffed!--Board in place beginning June 1st, and as the elected leaders of the church, they will help carry out the hearts' desires expressed this spring by the congregation. Their "boss" is not me or you individually, but the mission of the church, and I know that they take that responsibility seriously. My hope is that the transition will be as smooth as possible, and that we can all walk through it in covenant with each other, remembering that while we may not agree on every detail, all of us want our beloved community to be a healthy, safe place for those who are already here, and for those who will join us in the future.
 
Blessings,
Diana

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