First, the short answer is because it works. Per the UUA, "Congregations doing at least an 18 or 24 month interim have a much greater success rate (90%) at calling a minister following their interim than congregations doing only a single year of interim ministry (56%)."

From the Transitional Ministry Handbook -

For twenty-five years now Unitarian Universalist congregations, many of the mainline Protestant denominations, and synagogues of all traditions have depended on interim ministry to deal with the phenomenon of transition. They have done so largely in response to an important Alban Institute study which established the fact that congregations not hiring an intentional interim minister during a ministerial transition often find themselves having called an "unintentional interim minister" instead. At best the next minister will have heavy going. At worst the minister will not last. And indeed, among Unitarian Universalist congregations the practice of hiring an interim minister following a ministerial departure is almost universal. 

... interim ministers both carry out the normal responsibilities of congregational ministry, including worship and pastoral care, and also assist the congregation in addressing the following interim tasks:

• claiming and honoring its past and engaging and acknowledging its grief and conflicts
• recognizing its unique identity and its strengths, needs, and challenges
• understanding the appropriate leadership roles of minister(s), church staff, and lay leaders and navigating the shifts in leadership that may accompany times of transition
• renewing its vision, strengthening its stewardship, preparing for new growth and new professional leadership, ready to embrace the future with anticipation and zest
• making appropriate use of regional, UUA, and other outside resources

Regarding the second point, imagine church life and our collective involvement in the larger community as a giant mural or tapestry (for you weavers). Many painters, brush strokes, colors, and assemblers of scaffolding are needed to design and create the mural. It is a mural that is always evolving and changing as faded sections are repainted and completely new parts of the wall are opened up. If the minister is our chief artist, we now must all pitch in to advance the beautiful painting and engage the new lead artist. Doing so will enrich the work and ourselves. If Michelangelo had left Italy in 1509, do you think the church would have stopped work on the Sistine chapel ceiling? Of course not! And neither should we! Whether it is something like helping with 2U's hospitality, yardwork day on Saturday, June 3, teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, adding good cheer to the senior luncheon, or continuing your work on a particular committee, please pitch in!   

See you at church! Oh, and this Sunday is our Annual Meeting right after the service. Lunch will be provided.

Please plan to join us for our annual 2U congregational business meeting after service on Sunday, May 21 in the sanctuary.

As per one of the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism, "the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large," the annual meeting is the time in the life of our congregation when we gather to exercise the democratic process in our church. Additionally, our church bylaws state that it is the member's "right and responsibility to contribute to the democratic life in the community." In order to conduct the business of the congregation, there must be a quorum (25%) of members present. Come and be a part of our church celebration and the planning for next year!

The purpose of the meeting is to:

• Provide a review of the 2016-17 financial status and accomplishments
• Approve the proposed 2017-18 church budget
• Elect new church leaders

Parking on Sundays at Illinois Masonic has now changed! Please use the new parking stickers located in the red folder at the Welcome Table to use on your parking receipt when exiting from the parking lot. Please see someone at the Welcome Table on Sundays if you have any questions!