Sabbatical Minister’s Letter 10/1/2025
We Kept the Lights On, and More!
This month you get to celebrate Oct. 25th Fall Fest together and carve out joy as bright and funky as a jack-o-lantern, one of the many ways 2U is shining and showing a way through the oppressive fascist bombardments of the current administration. The introspective turn of the season invites us to nurture relationships, lean into community, and warm our spirits against the cold hearts of oppressive systems. Supporting this church with your financial gifts, your energy and your commitment is an act of resistance. Thank you for all the ways you are shining a light!
As the full transition of fall is upon us, this is my opportunity to offer gratitude for the time I have had serving you as your sabbatical minister, as my tenure ends officially October 15 this month. Part of those last days I will be joining UU minister colleagues in the Central Midwest chapter for our annual fall gathering but still responding to any needs coming remotely. Before then, I will meet with Rev. Jason as he prepares to rejoin you in shared ministry.
As someone who has been privileged enough to enjoy the experience of a sabbatical, please know that it will take time for Rev. Jason to respond to all the communications that come before him. He will first meet with the board, committee chairs and staff to get the big picture about what's been going on during his time away. He will need to maintain healthy work boundaries as he works to catch up. Rev. Jason will be in the pulpit four Sundays in a row beginning October 19th to reestablish his Sunday morning presence. And, in order to make space for Rev. Jason's ministerial relationship with you all, I will be steering clear of the congregation for some months and look forward to being with you in the near future again, either in the pulpit, the pews, or perhaps meeting you out on the streets! I have been honored to work with your staff and lay leadership, who are all gifted and have worked hard to help the church roll on. And that’s just it, y’all. The church rolls on. Over 2U’s history, the church has rolled on. And now we are entering a time where people can actually roll into the church, and so many hands and hearts have been working tirelessly in this arduous construction process. The pain and struggle some of us feel, waiting for the elevator, will one day be eclipsed by the presence of an elevator that goes from the basement to the Loft! Huzzah!
When Rev. Jason and I meet, I will share my experiences with him to help ease his reentry into congregational life. I will share how glad I have been to be with you! The ask was for me to help keep the lights on during this sabbatical time, and I think we have done that, and then some. I have witnessed your leadership, your dedication to struggling for justice and making love real through acts of care and compassion. I have had moments to get to know some of you and to feel the vibrancy of this special community that was a huge part of my call to ministry as a young adult attending 2U nearly 25 years ago. I celebrate all that you are and all that you are becoming.
Blessèd Be,
