WANT TO MEET WITH THE SENIOR MINISTER? 

Part of the important work I do at the Unitarian Church of Evanston is to get to know the congregation, to hear your stories, and for you to tell me what kind of a congregation you hope to have in the next two years.  Sounds simple enough, but most of us are already overscheduled.  So I will try to make it easier. 

Starting November 15, I’ll be at Curt’s Café from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. every Thursday.  You are invited to join me for coffee and informal conversation in this warm and inviting setting.  You don’t need an appointment; just show up.  The only agenda will be yours.  Please remember that this is a public place, so it’s not a good place to share sensitive information.  I hope to see you then and there! 

If you would like to make an appointment to meet with me at my church office, please call, text, or email me at church and we’ll find a time to meet on weekdays, weeknights, or weekends.  You may come alone or set up a session for your church committee or team.  Of course, I’ll also come to your monthly meetings if you’d like me to do so, just ask.  My calendar fills up quickly. 

I will be officially welcomed to the congregation on Tuesday, November 13, at 6:30 p.m.  We’ll be showing the documentary “Preacher’s Sons,” which chronicles the life of the Stewarts as five at risk, children of color, join our forever family.  If you want to know more about me or my family or my ministry, you’ll see it all on the big screen.  This is a great opportunity to invite a friend to come too.     

In early December we will begin to offer programs about and for interim ministry.  We will look at our history and see the clues it offers for our current situation.  We’ll explore who we are and what we want to be.  We will consider the theologies that have meaning for our members.   We will determine what is working and what is not. We will do this in small groups and at open forums.  

As I’ve said before, a big part of my job is to hold up a mirror to the congregation and ask, “Is this who you are?” and “Is this who you want to be?”  We’ll tackle this in fun and creative ways.  We may hit some corporate sore spots that make us uncomfortable, but it is better to deal with these now rather than to wait for the arrival of your next settled minister.  Transitions are rarely easy. 

So let the conversations begin with your story and your hopes and dreams for the congregation.  I’m eager to hear from you.  Blessed be! 

 The joy continues, 

Greg