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Dear UUCJ members and friends,

After yesterday’s service folks asked us if we would share the closing conversation between us with people who were not ‘zoomed in’ to the service.  Here is what we said.

CLOSING CONVERSATION BETWEEN DEPARTING MINISTERS

Roberta: When Marti and I arrived in Jacksonville last August for our first visit, Marti drew on her journalism background by suggesting that instead of each of us doing ‘half a sermon’ we interview each other about our vision for shared ministry with all of you. Now we find ourselves at our last service together, and we decided to use the same format.

Marti: So, as we end our time here, Roberta, what will miss- among so many possibilities?

Roberta:

  • Working with you (Marti) as a team-mate in this shared endeavor
  • Working with the staff: Jess, Virginia, Tina, and Judy
  • Working with the Transition Team – David, Lois and Terry took a huge leap into the unknown when they agreed to serve on the Team. They have brought incredible integrity and care to the work we did together
  • Working with the leadership to navigate a complicated time in the life of the congregation using an experimental form of ministry
  • All of you
Roberta: Marti, what will you miss?

Marti: Amen to what you said, Roberta: our pioneering mostly at a distance part-time transitional ministry partnership: our wonderful, talented, flexible staff- especially in the past several months: the lay leaders and their teams: and you all- who bring heart and soul to this bastion of progressive religion!

I believe that theology-meaning and purpose- comes from people in their particular places. Where do you go? What do you do What gives your life shape?

I had really only begun to learn about  you in your Jacksonville  and Fernandina Beach settings- the  parks and river walks and coffee shops- and farmers market  and legacy tree- and yes, the beaches – your marches for justice, your interfaith gatherings.

And your intergenerational creativity: the poetry, the writing for change, the centering of music, the radio hour…

May this continue to flow.

Roberta: Marti, as professional Unitarian Universalist ministers our practice of ministry is defined by covenantal relationships: with each other and our colleagues, with our Association, and with our congregations. In that context, what is your understanding of what constitutes a good leaving?

Marti: I have said hello to congregations a half dozen times before in my two decades as a professional minister. I have gotten to know them, appreciate them, love them, and join with them in shared ministry in beloved UU communities.

And a half dozen time before I have had to say goodbye, which means cutting those ties, going silent – on email, on Facebook, on the phone. And if and when we met up with, ran into each other, which has happened in towns I have remained in and in this small faith association, I have made it a practice, an imperative not to talk about when I was their minister- what  had  happened after I left- holding  the space for fresh new relationships with the next minister(s)

Marti: Roberta, what constitutes a good leaving for you?

Roberta:
  • My relationship with all of you, even when we were drinking coffee or watching a ballet, was defined by the fact that I was your minister and you were my parishioners
  • Once my ministry among you ends, that relationship ends.
  • I have served 11 congregations; I have said the same good-bye to all of them.
  • I really do leave totally and completely when I go. I don’t stay in touch. I don’t check back in. Yes, it hurts to say good-by to people I have served alongside and have come to care about. It is hard to let go of a congregation that I have come to cherish. That is the price we ministers pay for the privilege of practicing ministry. We leave the system so that the next minister can establish clear and uncomplicated relationships in the congregation.
  • And so I will go. And I will always care about you from afar
  • Stay well beloveds.

Roberta and Marti: We wish you the splendid next hello that will come after our good-byes.

Copyright © 2020 Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville, All rights reserved.


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