From Rev. Karen Gustafson: February 19, 2021

Congratulations, UCE! Being with you, even from my perch in the Minnesota north woods, as you voted in large numbers and with great enthusiasm to call Rev Eileen to be you Settled Minister, was truly a magic moment. On February I was moved to tears by your images on my screen as you lighted your covenant candles and symbolically added them to the common flame of your shared ministry.  

And, look. I am still here. This is because the work of the Interim has never been about calling a new minister. It has always been about you, the UCE congregation, you as the keepers of your own religious journeys, you as the makers and livers of your shared Mission. The work of the Interim has always been to strengthen the container that holds these journeys and this Mission, regardless of the particular minister you would, and now have invited into covenant of service and love. 

The invitation has been offered and received and there is some strengthening that is still underway. 

The current project is shoring up the pathways to membership engagement. Here are some of the questions you might consider:  How might the existing structures, the committees and councils and groups and task forces and working groups and covenant groups become more inviting and accessible? How might new members feel more welcomed and longer term members feel freer to move in and out of leadership in a timely manner? How might new groups form and be allowed to end? How might all of the ways to be involved and engaged at UCE be a reflection of your lived Mission and Covenant?  

Your own investment in the answers to these questions may be driven by how you understand your relationship to UCE. In the next few weeks, I will be offering some opportunities for you to share your thoughts and stories about membership engagement at UCE. Stay tuned!  

In the meantime, you are always welcome to contact me by e-mail at kgustafson@ucevanston.org. 

In love and gratitude, 

Karen