By now you have received Reverend Mary’s  email regarding her decision to conclude her ministry with UUP at the end of this June. You should also have had an opportunity to read the board’s response and some of their initial deliberation with Reverend Mary about what comes next. For those of you who have not yet read them, you will find the letters here https://www.uupetaluma.org/transitions/.

The leadership understands this news may be upsetting for people. The Committee on Shared Ministry (COSM) will facilitate a gathering next Sunday, March 13th, right after worship, as a forum to share your feelings and get your questions answered.

Part of the BOT’s  plan is to hire an interim minister to help in the transition. If we are able meet the UUA timeline (the application is due April 22nd), it should be possible to have an interim minister start at UUP by September. There is much to discover and discuss in approaching this kind of ministry but the both BOT and COSM  are united in believing this is the best path forward.

Some of you will be asking “What is an interim Minister and how is that different from what we are doing now with Rev. Mary?” Interim ministry is a very specialized form of ministry; it is always short term (normally two years). The ministers have special training in systems theory and organizational development. They are called in when a departing minister has been with a congregation for five or more years to help deal with feelings of loss and other separation issues. They “keep the momentum going” so gains in membership and organizational structures are not lost, and they can help the congregation set new goals and direction for itself. For more information about interim ministry, look on the UUA website at http://www.uua.org/careers/ministers/interim.

Finally, if there is any issue you would like to discuss prior to Sunday’s meeting, do not hesitate to reach out to any of the COSM members (Dean Watson, Jodi Boyle or George Beeler).

In fellowship,

Committee on Shared Ministry