Transitions...

In February, I told my wonderful congregation -- the UU Congregation in Andover -- that I would be leaving at the end of my contract (June 30 is the last day). I have been the consulting minister of the UUCiA since July 2009, starting about a year after I was ordained. Although it has been a part-time, year-to-year contract ministry (as is common for our smaller congregations), in many ways it has felt more like settled ministry. I am "all in" until July 1, but the reality is that this is a time of transition for me and the congregation. I have been "in search", and they are just now starting to look for a new minister. It is an emotional time, but it is an exciting time, too. In a word, it is bittersweet. We have time for a good leave-taking, and there is still good ministry to do, together. I am so grateful for the time we have had together -- and the time we still have left -- and I know that the UUCiA will always be a part of me.

Every change — no matter how positive — involves loss. Right now, I’m trying to remain open to all the feelings that come, remembering the famous word’s of Rumi’s “The Guest House“.