It was a year ago this week that we began to explore the possibility of entering into a relationship of shared leadership at UUCP.  “Explore” remains an appropriate word to describe our approach to this new ministry.  Letters of Agreement between congregations and ministers acknowledge that, “This relationship is one of discovery, of each other, in a context of mutuality.”  That discovery takes time. We began together as a congregation and a minister coming from significantly long ministries in different contexts.  Even though we are told that no two ministries are the same, I think it is human nature to believe that we will understand things based on our previous experience. As we have been getting to know one another, I imagine we have been comparing and contrasting, along with figuring out how to identify and work toward agreed upon goals. Our different backgrounds and situations add to the richness from which we draw. There are valuable lessons from our personal experiences. For me, our year of exploring and discovery has been enormously gratifying. It has been a pleasure to work with so many smart, talented, creative, and committed members of the congregation. Your desire to be a strong presence for Unitarian Universalism in the Panhandle is obvious. I’m delighted that your elected leadership has chosen to continue the relationship and put to good use what we have learned about, and from, each other. I look forward to seeing what unfolds for all of us, as individuals and as a congregation.

This spring and summer, along with my study leave and vacation time, I will be working with the Board and other leaders on a plan for moving forward with your hopes for the future of UUCP. Our relationship will continue to be one of exploration and discovery as we move together into a future of mystery and possibility.

In Love and Hope, 
Rev. Alice