Throughout the summer, a group of congregational leaders, staff, and the interim ministry team, came together to imagine how UUCM’s mission and ends (the longer range goals of the congregation) could more intentionally be brought into the active work of the church. We engaged in study, reflection and conversations. We dreamt big, wrestled with how things are and how things could be, learned more about governance, asked hard questions with care, allowed space, and became clearer in the what and why behind all this hard work.

The end result was the creation of three areas of focus that UUCM’s core ministries will be accountable to for the 2019/2020 church year. 

What does this mean for the congregation as a whole? Our hope is that you’ll notice the cumulative impact of this intentional practice of collaboration, transparency, and communication. That Sunday morning worship, the work for social justice, the growing of our community of children, youth and adults will feel more deliberative and connected. That you may find new places to “stretch yourself in ways you didn’t know you could move.”

Someone somewhere quipped that what you see depends on what you’re looking for. These three intertwined focus areas, in alignment with UUCM’s ends, point the church in a particular direction. What may come from this cannot be constrained by a tight grip of expectations. Instead, let us head the words of John O’Donohue and “… live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding.”

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2019/20 Ministry Focus Areas

• Acknowledging our tendency toward individualism, exceptionalism, and anti-authoritarianism, we aspire to broaden and deepen in relationships and be more collaborative and empowered throughout our congregation.
• Nurture opportunities for everyone to engage in more learning, witnessing, serving and advocating.
• Support individuals, families and groups in creating meaningful rituals and/or spiritual practices.

— Rev. Terri

Each week, the interim ministry team will share a reflection on the Soul Matters monthly theme, the state of the church, or the state of the world. Meg, Terri and Arif will alternate writing this “In the Interim” post. We encourage your comments.