April 23, 2012 - A Sabbatical Update (Think of it as a State Of The UUnion Address)

It’s the fourth week in April and Rev. Tim has now been on sabbatical for fifteen weeks.  He has safely returned from his trips to Afghanistan and South Africa.  We’re happy to report that, as expected, things are running smoothly and efficiently at UUCR. Under the caring ministry of Acting Minister Meg Soens, the capable leadership of President Tracy Sopchak and our Governing Board, the wonderful work of our professional staff, and the shared ministry carried on by our members and friends, our amazing church community has been a lively and “hopping” place. Attendance during the sabbatical at Sunday worship services has stayed steady at around 150 adults per Sunday. Members Services Coordinator, Amy Burton, reports that we have had a consistent flow of visitors and newcomers.

Our Acting Minister, Meg Soens, has continued to guide us with her wonderful ministry.  Although she has preached her last sermon from our pulpit, she will continue her duties as acting minister until Rev. Tim returns on May 7 and then will finish out her second year as our intern minister until the end of this church year in June.  She is looking forward to her ordination, which will take place at First Parish in Lexington, on June 10.

We’ve hosted six guest ministers so far. Since our last update, we’ve been privileged to have Rev. Fayre Stephenson, the Program Director of Ferry Beach; Rev. John Gibbons from the Bedford UU Church; Rev. Frank Clarkson from the Haverhill UU Church; and Rev. John Gibb-Millspaugh from the Winchester Unitarian Society.   There will be one more guest speaker – author Gregg Levoy, who will speak from our pulpit on Sunday, May 6th and will then hold a workshop here in the afternoon.  That will wrap up our wonderful line-up of guest ministers/speakers.

Faith Development continues thrive at UUCR. Classes continue to offer exciting and informative experiences for our children.  The FD Comm sponsored the ever-popular egg hunt on Easter Sunday.  The Coming of Age 2012 class is making final preparations for their Coming of Age ceremony, which will occur at the 11:00 service this coming Sunday, April 29th.  Our high school seniors will be honored in a bridging service on Sunday, May 20.  

Our Governing Board has been working on several projects and goals. They recently passed a Spending Policy aimed at ensuring that we stay within our congregation-approved budget.  The Annual Budget Drive committee is still finishing up their annual budget drive and are at 80% of this year’s goal for pledged income.  

We look forward to Rev. Tim’s return to the pulpit on May 13th.  There will be special Coffee Hours on that day to welcome him back.  We truly believe that he will be very pleased to discover how smoothly we have all weathered the four-month sabbatical period.

Sincerely,
Sharyn Taitz, for the UUCR Sabbatical Support Team

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