Monday, May 24, 2021

Dear Members and Friends
of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington,
 
I am writing to let you know that, with both heartache and hope, I will depart this congregation as Senior Minister in June of 2022, after serving one final year of full ministry. Something is calling me beyond the ministry of congregational life.
 
This decision is not an easy one, and I have not made it hastily. I have a deep love and gratitude for this congregation, and I had hoped to accompany you all upon life's journey until my eventual retirement. Still, I must listen to that sacred voice within that has never betrayed me when I have had the courage to listen. That inner voice led me into ministry over thirty years ago; I trust it to lead me forward now.
 
What, exactly, is calling me forward? It’s a little mysterious, but it may not surprise you that it involves end-of-life ministry. I will be exploring various paths, such as chaplaincy, death doula education, and other ways of leaning into the sacred mystery of life and death. I find myself excited and scared, delighted and sad, strong and vulnerable as I prepare to move into this unknown ministry.
 
As of June 2022, I will have served this congregation in ministry for twenty years. I believe that the success and satisfaction of that ministry will be found not only in the events of those years, but in the growth and achievements of UUCB in the years ahead. I am excited when I ponder the vibrant energy and fresh perspectives that new ministerial leadership will bring to this congregation.
 
Also, after June 2022, I will be following the usual practice of ministerial absence from the congregation, allowing you all to let go of me as Senior Minister and allowing me to let go of my identity as your Senior Minister. My spouse Deborah and I have selected a support team to help us with this transition. We have more questions than answers about our future, but we have no current plans to leave this area.
 
And so, my friends, I ask for your support. I ask that you engage my ministerial service to this congregation one more year, sharing together all that life may bring and entering closure next spring. I ask that you honor the changes that Covid has brought, and the changes that my departure will bring, and take tender care of yourselves and each other. We have much ministry ahead of us this year, including finding our way forward in these awkward times of pandemic. Together may we continue Seeking the Spirit. Building Community. Changing the World.
 
I close in deepest gratitude for my spouse Deborah, the Board, lay leadership, staff, colleagues and the members and friends of this Unitarian Universalist congregation. To paraphrase Rabindranath Tagore, “may this not be an ending but rather a completeness.” My heart is full.
 
Peace and Love, Mary Ann
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Monday, May 24, 2021

Dear Members and Friends –

Reverend Mary Ann Macklin’s ministry, leadership and pastoral care have given each of us many, many gifts over the last twenty years. In the year ahead, we will take time to recognize and celebrate her ministry with us. In this moment, we recognize the greatest gift she has given to our church community is the understanding and confidence that, as we work together, we are continuing to strengthen our commitment to Seeking the Spirit, Building Community and Changing the World.
 
For the year ahead, Rev. Macklin, Rev. Leite and Rev. Clements will continue to serve as our ministerial team. Looking further forward, we are thrilled that Rev. Dave has accepted our offer to extend his Interim Consulting Ministry with us for another year, through June 2023.

Our church is a growing and thriving congregation, and with that growth comes change. This time of physical separation due to Covid has also shown us that there are many different definitions of what church can be. It is important that the congregation take the time to delve deeply into what we want and need from ministry as our church community continues to grow. We may discover we want a team ministry, or a senior and an associate minister, or a senior and an executive, or some other combination we have not yet considered.

We will not be convening a search committee this year, but rather will wait until after Reverend Macklin’s departure, at which point the congregation will begin a process of self-reflection in preparation for entering the search process.

This is an exciting time for our church as we embrace the larger congregation we have become. The members of your Board of Directors are deeply committed to engaging the entire congregation in this process of moving forward, by organizing opportunities for listening, sharing, and dreaming together about the possibilities ahead.

We have much for which to be thankful, and Rev. Macklin’s ministry has enabled us to create a path together toward building a strong new course for UUCB.

Members of the Board are available should you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Stuart D. Yoak, President
Abby Gitlitz, Vice President
Steven Gilbert, Secretary
Rich Slabach, Treasurer
Julie Lawson, Member at Large
Jane McLeod, Member at Large
Drew Schrader, Member at Large
Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington, Indiana
Mailing address during Covid:
UU Church, PO Box 1158
Nashville, Indiana 47448-1158
Window photo from the photo archives of John Summerlot.
Chalice photo by John Woodcock.