Last Sunday, we celebrated Kate Lore’s ministry and released Kate from her ministerial call at First Unitarian. The service was powerful as Kate offered her “heartfelt farewell” and we remembered some of the high points of our justice ministry. Kate leaves a social justice program that is large and vibrant, a model to which many UU congregations aspire.

Many people have asked about the plans to support our justice ministry into the future. I understand the question and the concern. Social Justice and prophetic witness are central to our identity and our mission as a liberal religious community. How will we move forward?

In my homily last Sunday I said:

“I want to assure you that this congregation’s commitment to social justice will not change. Kate’s ministry built on our long history of civic engagement and justice making…it preceded Kate and will follow Kate. We will now build on Kate’s work as we move into the future.”

We will be taking a series of steps to insure that our social justice work remains strong:
I will be meeting with our social justice leaders to identify how best to support their and our work. I plan to meet regularly with the Social Justice Council through this transitional period.

Cassandra Scheffman, on our staff, will continue to provide logistical and scheduling support for our justice work. And our Intern Minister, T.J. Fitzgerald, will be devoting some of his time and attention in support as well.

The plan is to prepare to search for a staff person in the spring. We will, I expect, be open to considering applications from ministers but also from lay people. Kate was, after all, a lay person when she was originally hired. We want to take time to get to clarity about our hopes and expectations so that our search can be successful.

I will keep you informed as our imagination develops and plans firm.

One other question deserves a brief comment. A few people have been surprised that Kate will refrain from contact with First Unitarian and its members for two years. This has become standard procedure for ministers when they leave a church. Marilyn Sewell followed this process when she retired. Mark Slegers, although not an ordained minister, is following it now. It is not punitive in any way, but simply makes space for new energy to emerge.

There are, and will be other questions as this transition moves forward. We are fast approaching November when Gratitude will be our spiritual theme. I hope that we can first and foremost remember our gratitude not only for Kate Lore’s ministry but also the broad and effective ministry of this church.

Blessings,

Bill