Dear ones,

Karen Gustafson, here. I am the minister who has committed to supporting you and your church staff this year in your continuing effort to present to a prospective settled minister, a clear and honest vision of who you have been, who you are and who you want to be as a congregation.

Eileen Wiviott, as you know, has assumed the role of Acting Senior Minister. I will be with you in Evanston for ten consecutive days each month. During that time, I will be engaging you from the pulpit on two Sundays. During the week, we will interact in structured and casual opportunities to share your experience, your insights and your hopes as you bridge from your past into your future. I will synthesize my observations and mirror them back to you with praises and cautions and suggestions for change. I will be available to the staff by phone and e-mail between visits.

In preparation for this time, I have spent three days in retreat with Rev Eileen where we got to know each other and to form the kind of collegial relationship that will serve us well as leaders during this time of transition. In addition, I am reviewing reports and newsletters and sermons offered by Rev. Greg in the interest of synthesizing and building on last year’s work as much as possible.

I come to you from my “retirement” home near Duluth, Minnesota. I come as a trained interim minister with 30 years of UU parish experience in Duluth, in Madison WI and Minneapolis MN. I come most importantly, I think, as someone who loves this faith, believes in the value and integrity of congregational life and has experienced the power of shared vision and covenant both personally and in the world.

I am not a savior or a magician. My agenda is to facilitate the process of identifying and supporting the healing of hurt places; the elevating and reinforcing of strengths; the resolving of differences through the application of our shared principles; the articulation of a vision of ministry that is sustainable. This is our work together. When it is done, it will be yours.

I am pleased and honored by the trust that your Board has placed in me. This is a different model of interim work. Let’s make it happen!

In trust, Karen