Dear Members and Friends,
Since I started serving you in August, we've had a very busy time together, and very enjoyably so. We're off to a wonderful start! At this point, you may be wondering about more of the specifics of what a two-year interim period is like, and what happens when. So now is a good time for me to give you an overview. An interim period is to work toward (at least) a couple things. In general, it is a time for us to examine and attend to any issues or goals that are lingering from the previous ministries. These include what are called "The Five Developmental Tasks of Interim Ministry." The UUA describes these as:
"In addition to the normal responsibilities of congregational ministry, including worship and pastoral care, Intentional Interim Ministers possess specific skills in assisting a congregation in:
- claiming and honoring its past and engaging and honoring its griefs and conflicts;
- recognizing its unique identity and its strengths, needs, and challenges;
- clarifying the appropriate leadership roles of minister(s), church staff, and lay leaders and navigating the shifts in leadership that may accompany times of transition;
- making appropriate use of District, UUA, and other outside resources; and
- proudly coming into possession of a renewed vision and strong stewardship, prepared for new growth and new professional leadership, ready to embrace the future with anticipation and zest."
We know we have been successful when the congregation is more self-aware of its strengths and weaknesses; more clear in its mission, purpose, and vision; more accomplished in the things it achieves regardless of who is serving as its minister; and better-positioned to engage a new long-term settled minister.
Specifically, an interim period is a time to engage in the UUA's search process, with the goal of voting to call a new settled minister in the spring of 2019, who would begin serving you in August of 2019.
There are several steps along the way toward achieving these general and specific goals. I encourage you to talk with each other about this information. You may even want to save this newsletter column for future reference as to what happens when. If you have many questions about interim periods and the UUA's search process, that is entirely understandable. Second Unitarian Church has not engaged in a nationwide search for a new settled minister in some time. You all are welcome to ask me anything you'd like about this process. Answering your questions is a big part of what I am here to do, and happily so! And there are also consultants from the UUA who will come to 2U to provide even more information about being in search.
Here is an overall timeline of a two-year interim period:
August - February: Presently, we are getting to know one another, keeping all that is good at 2U going along swimmingly, and making note of the things you want to be strengthened or expanded. And I am learning the history of 2U-a history of which we all can be rightly proud, and even inspired! Before the end of February, I will preach about 2U's history, and we will put a timeline of it up on the wall, so everyone can see it, add to it, review it, and process it, with its ups, downs, losses, and milestones. This is an essential piece of the interim work to ready a congregation for new ministerial leadership.
Also in February: The board and I will do the first of three Appraisals of how the interim work is going. The Appraisals are based on the Five Developmental Tasks, above. Doing them, and discussing them, helps us see what's going well, and where some course correction is necessary.
March: A Transitions Coach (formerly called the Ministerial Settlement Representative), trained by the UUA, will visit us. She or he will meet with the board, and also with the whole congregation, so that everyone has a thorough understanding of what it involves to undertake a search for a settled minister. There will be a question and answer session, which I will also attend.
April and May: We will form the search committee, following best practices recommended by the UUA, and in accordance with 2U's bylaws. The search committee will be voted on by members of 2U. The Transitions Coach will meet with the new search committee, and facilitate a retreat for them, so they can decide how they will discuss and decide matters, reach consensus, etc.
June: The board will appoint a negotiating team to recommend a draft letter of agreement for the new minister, including compensation range. And the board will set a budget for the search.
August: The Search Committee begins to gather abundant information for 2U's Congregational Record (the CR). The CR will be what ministers interested in applying to 2U will review to learn all about 2U. The search committee will compile data about 2U's history, present situation, and goals for the future. And they will survey the congregation, both in writing, and through small group meetings. They will ask you your hopes and dreams for 2U's next minister, and for 2U's future. They will not be picking a minister based on their personal preferences. They will be entrusted to find the right match with what you have told them you want and need from professional ministry.
September: The board and I will do the second Appraisal of how the interim work is going.
October: A UUA consultant will come to 2U for a Beyond Categorical Thinking workshop (usually a Sunday morning and afternoon). This will help us stretch our imagination beyond thinking that a great UU minister must only look or act a certain way.
November 30th: The information the search committee has written and compiled about 2U and our area of Chicago will be posted on the UUA's settlement site, for interested ministers to review.
January 2019: The Transitions Coach meets with the search committee again. And the search committee will have access to the names and Ministerial Records of interested ministers.
February and March: The search committee will interview three or four pre-candidate ministers, and hear them preach at a neutral pulpit. This part of the process is confidential.
In April of 2019, there will be a date and time when the search committee may make an offer. If all goes well, 2U will have a Candidating Week in late April or early May. That week will culminate in a vote-to-call the new minister!
June: We will take time to end things well and caringly. And the board and I will do our final Appraisal. Unless anything unforeseeable occurs, the new settled minister will start in August.
There are, of course, a lot more parts and details to this than will fit into one newsletter column. But may I say again that I am here to talk with you and reassure you at all points along the way. No question is a foolish question. 2U looks poised for many successes that you will feel happy and proud about, just as long as we all try our very best.
In faith, your Interim Minister,
Rev. Jennie ("It's a privilege to be here.")
Upcoming Sunday Services:
November 5th: "The Election Sermon" (Rev. Jennie preaching) Traditionally, on the Sunday before Election Day, Unitarian ministers preach about elections, democracy, the right to vote, or even Presidents who were Unitarians. We have reached one year since the Presidential Election of 2016. The life and thought of Illinois's beloved Adlai Stevenson will surely hold insights and reassurance for us as we continue to process these tempestuous political times.
November 12th: "Social Justice" (Guest Speaker, Kim Warman)
November 19th: "The Prodigal Son" (Rev. Jennie preaching) This morning we will hold our Ingathering and celebrating of members who have recently joined 2U, with great rejoicing!
November 26: "Guest At Your Table Sunday" (Rev. Jennie preaching) This intergenerational worship service will highlight the UUSC, and launch our Guest At Your Table campaign.
Rev. Jennie's availability in November:
From November 6 - 12th, Rev. Jennie will be taking professional development time. If an urgent concern comes up, she will be able to receive emails, and message left on her confidential voice mail of the church's landline, through:
[email protected]
. You may also contact a board member or a member of the pastoral care team, who can reach her by cell phone. She will be back in the office on Tuesday, November 14th.
Sunday, November 19
Want to get to know people at 2U? Please join us for our evening of 2U Dinners on 
Join the Chicago Area UU Council (CAUUC) for inspiration and learn how you and your congregation can collaborate with UU and non-UU partner organizations in pursuit of Social Justice.
Have a message to put in the next Anvil or Orders of Service? Plan ahead!