Beloveds,

We have so much to celebrate together! Here are some key dates coming up throughout June and a little beyond…

** Sunday, June 7, is our multigenerational Flower Communion Sunday and Bridging Ceremony. We will be celebrating our children and youth who are moving up into elementary school, middle school, high school, and beyond. RSVP here if someone in your family would like to participate. We are also adding an honorary Bridger – Kathryn Estey, our Church Administrator – who will be bridging after 16 years of service from our staff team back into the wider community of members. Kathryn will be in the office through the end of June. 

** We will also be delighted to share a video introduction of our next Music Director in the service. He will begin in mid-August. Garrett Bond, our interim director, will be with us through the end of July – his celebration will be on his last Sunday with us.

Please bring a flower or even a small bouquet to share.

** On Sunday, June 14, Rev. Tom Disrud will preach for the last time as our Associate Minister. We will also participate in a ritual of release of call together. This service will be followed by a festive coffee hour with delicious pies for all as we celebrate 31 years of service and his new Minister Emeritus status. Tom will be in the office through the end of June.

** Our advertisement for a half-time one-year, Acting Assistant minister for next year is up on the UUA’s ministerial search website. This is an interim situation as we work together over the year ahead to imagine and plan for what our community needs in our ministry team in the future.

** On Sunday, June 21, we will join thousands of Unitarian Universalists in an online worship experience from our respective homes broadcast to us from the online UUA General Assembly.

** On Monday, June 22, we will welcome our interim Managing Director, David Leslie, who will be with us for at least six months. He will be overseeing our Operations at the church and is part of Page Two Partners, a consortium of consultants, interim directors, and leads in nonprofits. This allows for some overlap with Kathryn before she finishes her work with us.

** On Sunday, June 28, Summer Services officially start! I will be preaching this last Sunday in June, and then our Summer Minister, Rev. Mitra Rahnema begins in July. You can hear her 5 out of the following 6 Sundays, July 5 – August 9. (Rev. Leah will preach on July 26.)

Rev. Mitra Rahnema is a biracial Iranian American lifelong Unitarian Universalist and has served congregations in Missouri, Michigan, and California. Rev. Mitra is the editor of Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power in Ministry (2017), a UUA Common Read that explores the complexities of identity and power within Unitarian Universalist ministry. Most recently, she completed a successful two-year interim ministry in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. She is committed to nurturing vibrant, engaged, and counter-oppressive communities. Outside of ministry, Mitra enjoys cooking, gardening, and makes her home in Portland, Oregon – although she will be moving East this summer.

May the month ahead be one in which we savor what we have cherished and also welcome the new.

In faith,

Rev. Alison