A pilgrimage

If a blog is supposed to be a short post, I'm in trouble - because our ministerial search over the past year was far from a short journey, more like a pilgrimage. Our seven member committee had a votive purpose beyond just settling a minister.

Indeed, we had to first take an expedition to understand our own unique church. What was our theological bent? What did members mean when expressing a desire for more spiritual growth? What type of minister were our congregants hoping to see in the pulpit? What were our growing edges?

As we heard answers to these many questions, we wondered how we could preserve all that was amazingly positive about the current life of our congregation, yet not limit ourselves, allowing the changes that would occur with our next settled minister.

During a summer service, our own Laurie Goodman spoke eloquently about The Evolution of Unitarian Univeralism as a Movement and Our Congregation's Place in It. Her words resonated with the Search Committee's growing understanding of the Unitarian Universalist movement, an understanding that we stumbled upon while searching for our next settled minister.

Learning

In the early stages of our search, through the cottage meetings, the "Survey Monkey," and the Beyond Categorical Thinking workshop, we gained tremendous insight into our church. Almost immediately, after a couple of the cottage gatherings so well organized by Donna LaRue, we realized that our understanding of our congregation was extremely relevant to the search.

At the same time, we were discovering more and more about each other as committee members, becoming deeply bonded, increasingly more vulnerable, and beautifully interwoven. Most delightful was realizing that the finest gift we brought to each other was our wit and humor. We were truly comical!

Eventually, we began reviewing and selecting ministerial candidates. Without delay, we moved into the preliminary interviews. As we progressed toward our Neutral Pulpit weekends, piling into Steve Hedge's van (imagine seven UUs in one van, trying to be discrete at the churches we visited), we were feeling equipped with the unique knowledge of our church.

Building relationships

We also realized we were entering into private territory. We were peeking directly into the life of a minister. We weren't completely prepared for the depths of the many ministers we would encounter and the wonderful emotions we would feel about each of them.

Thankfully, Kathy Grossman always had a new song to share during these weekends, helping us pause and take stock of where we were in this journey.

As we were nearing the finish line, or so we thought, the most difficult part of the road lay ahead of us. We had to decide on our minister! We delved into long deliberations, many discussions, listening, asking questions of one another. We often referred back to our notes from the cottage gatherings, the survey, and the workshop, double checking assumptions and verifying information.

It was extremely intensive thinking and processing! Thankfully, we had Gary Lerude at the helm, who always had the perfect chalice lighting and reading, shedding light on differing perspectives, and expressing gratitude for both individual contributions and group efforts.

Finally, we decided! It was EXCITING!!!

The pain of loss, the blessing of understanding

Then came a very difficult and painful time for us. Hearing that we were second on the list for the two ministers we selected, Carol Houde anguishly stated

“We weren't feeling in a very holy place."

It was much like being left at the altar. Twice! Who wouldn't feel let down? Dashed!

Yet, somehow, we needed to regroup and enter the “extra inning” (a termed coined by the UUA). But we were still very much grieving over the two fabulous ministers we had only recently said “good-bye” to. It was challenging!

In the days that followed, as we shared our difficult news with the UUA, the Interim Minister, the Board of Trustees, and the congregation, we were very grateful for the tremendous support and positive responses from so many of these folk. Not surprisingly, the congregation realized this wasn't what any of us expected to happen. Many members showed gratitude and extended applause for our efforts.

The coming year

As the sole committee member not able to continue for this next year's round, I leave not forgetting the many amazing people I have met along this journey. I leave remembering a committee who has helped me to grow beyond measure. And I leave with a deep sense of gratitude to these six members for their willingness to continue the search for our next minister. Their commitment is honorable, noteworthy!

May peace and joy be with you Carol, Donna, Gary, Kathy, Laurie, and Steve!

Cecile Bonvouloir