Hi everyone!
As you may know, my time here is coming to a close, and this Sunday will be my last time preaching as your Summer Minister. I want to say thank you to you all!!
It has been a formative, challenging, and delightful experience for me to be your Intern and Summer Minister this year, and I appreciate the whole-heartedness that you have brought to our experiences together. First Unitarian will always hold a special place in my heart, not only as the congregation where I served in my internship, but the congregation which made me a minister through ordination this summer. You, the congregants, are what make this place special.
Many of you have asked about my plans for the future, so I want to bring you up to speed. This fall I intend to apply for hospital chaplaincy residencies for the 2020-21 year, and in the meantime I will take the coming year for integration, rest, and rejuvenation (and doing some freelance work). I have described to several of you the metaphor that feels true as I look into this sabbatical time: it is as if I am a person who loves orange juice, and over the last several years of seminary and internship, I have found myself surrounded by abundant orange orchards. But, I’ve spent so much time frantically gathering armfuls of oranges that I haven’t made time to cut and squeeze them and actually drink the juice! I hope to do some of that this year.
You, gracious people that you are, may wonder how you can support me in this endeavor. First, to honor this request for space: I intend to follow the recommendations of the UUA that I take a year of very limited contact with the congregation. This will allow me to do the personal discernment and growth that I’m seeking, and will support the congregation in maintaining integrity and clear internal channels of communication with Rev. Bill and Rev. Tom. Second, for you to connect with one another more deeply, engage courageously in work for justice, and honestly search within yourselves for ways to grow. If you continue with these endeavors, I will feel quite well-honored!
Finally, at the risk of perhaps muddying the above request, you should know that I will actually be back to preach several times over the course of the coming church year! When I do, I will be glad to see you and share worship with you once again. (And, of course, if we bump into one another around town, no need to ignore me — we can say hi!).
Again, I am so grateful for my time here at First Unitarian and for all that I have learned from you. I know that you all are in excellent hands with your ministers, staff, and lay leaders, and I look forward to seeing you again when I am back to preach.
With affection and blessings,
Rev. Mira Mickiewicz