The state-owned property just west of the church (the “outlot”) should no longer be used for church parking. We learned this week that the property is being sold to our neighbors and we have not had a chance to talk with them about continued use. So we will respect the property boundaries, and ask that you use other parking options. If you are not able to park in the main lot, you can park on Wayzata Blvd to the east of Crosby Road. We will keep you updated as the situation changes.
New Minister Board Update: Week 8
The first Stewardship Gathering took place last Sunday and there was a lively question and answer session about the selection of a new minister. Here are two of those questions:
Is developmental ministry a category of ministry? Is developmental ministry recognized by the UUA? Yes and Yes! Developmental ministry is a recognized category of ministry by the UUA and we are working closely with the UUA Transitions staff during the selection process. Developmental ministry is a newer model of ministry which is why many in the congregation may not have heard of it before. The decision to move forward with the developmental ministry model was made after much reflection by the Board including what we learned from the Congregational Listening Sessions, with support and input from our current interim ministers, and in discussion with and approval by the UUA Transitions staff.
If you have not already done so, please plan to attend a Stewardship Gathering. We welcome your questions.
In the Interim: 3/6/2020
Wisdom and Serenity
I’ve been thinking a lot about the Serenity Prayer recently:
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
Written by theologian and philosopher Reinhold Niebuhr and adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs, it is so commonplace in our culture today that it’s easy to pass it by without really taking it in, and so today, I’d like to invite us to exactly that – slow down and take it in. Continue reading →
New Minister Board Update: Week 7
This week, we are addressing several questions:
Do we have any candidate submissions yet? When does the submissions deadline close? What are the next steps after that? We are working closely with the UUA Transitions staff and they will forward qualified candidates to us. We don’t expect candidate responses to our posting before mid-March. The Board Minister Selection Task Force will then interview and evaluate them. Offers will occur in April.
Can we see the posting that candidates are responding to? Yes, you can! We do not plan to post it publicly but ask any member of the Board and they can email it to you. The document is nineteen pages long.
Keep the questions coming!
From the Board: March 2020
Each month, a member of the board will share a reflection on the Soul Matters monthly theme and the state of the church. The Soul Matters theme for March is Wisdom. This month’s post is offered by Becky Halat.
“Knowledge is a process of piling up facts; wisdom lies in their simplification.”
– Martin H. Fischer
Simplification is a challenge. I know my natural tendency is to over-complicate things. At work, at home, everywhere. I think I do this because I want everything to be correct and accurate. If there are three obvious steps, why not make it ten? Ten is better, right? With ten steps, your process is more precise, and therefore better. I’m learning that more isn’t always better, though. Distilling ideas and processes to their most important components can be more challenging than taking everything into consideration. Maintaining simplicity is something that I have to work at every day. It’s almost a spiritual practice for me at this point. I try to do it in steps (and of course, not too many steps!): 1) Is all this necessary? 2) Where can I simplify? I’m lucky to have people in my life that are naturally good at this and are willing to help me out.
Right now, the board is in the midst of our ministerial search. Obviously, this is a significant moment in our congregation’s life: one of change and anticipation. Continue reading →
UUCM Happenings 