From Our Ministers: Halfway through the Woods
Sometimes people leave you, 
halfway through the wood…1
We met for a moment, halfway through the wood; only temporarily walking together, brief traveling companions finding our way through the dark of these current times. There have been challenges all around us, yet we still found our way through.
I’ve been focusing on the good things. The rich relationships. The accomplishments. All the extraordinary ways this congregation has welcomed Rev Karen and me in and allowed us to do the multilayered work of ministry with you over these two years. It has been good, and we will carry warm memories with us long into our retirement years.
But there is sadness too. Now comes the bittersweet tang of having to let go of connections and watch CCUU disappear from the rearview mirror. It’s one of the hardest parts of ministry. Ministers walk with, but never entirely ‘be’ within a community.
And – we have loved our time here; loved imagining new paths, loved watching you step into new roles, loved seeing some tiny bit of order form for just a moment (because that’s all we really ever get.)
I’ve loved working with the creative folks on the worship team, coming up with new ways of approaching topics and issues; loved the compassion and wisdom of the lay ministers. I’ve enjoyed experiencing the board taking ownership for steering the church. Cheered as the front grounds evolved into native plantings. Applauded efforts which brought together a prairie burn – so awesome!
We’ve observed dedicated folks putting sweat and patience, and inspiration into reconfiguring the Justice Matters area of the church. And celebrated all those who dug deep and wrestled with taxonomy and a changing societal vocabulary to come up with a refigured organizational chart to help newcomers and your new minister find their way. Truly holy work.
Rev Karen thrilled as folks gathered round to make sure our kids were seen, supported, encouraged, and inspired through fun and connection. We celebrated three babies and a toddler in your nursery as a lovely omen for the future of this community. Cheered for OWL and Faith in Action Sundays. Embraced senior high youth finding their way and truly growing together. Embraced so many from the young adults group find roles in the larger church.
There are so many things to celebrate about this community that I could go on for pages and pages. Each of you knows how much there is available, how many ways to connect, which spaces exist for growing your spirits and strengthening your hearts.
But now our time together is winding down. It’s time to say goodbye and wish each other well ~ remembering that each time we leave a place we can’t help but leave a bit of ourselves behind. I’ll be lurking along those never-ending hallways, peeking from behind the branches in the Atherton Hall tree. Rev Karen’s laugh will echo along the RE wing as children find ever new ways to delight in this particular confluence of life.
And we will carry you along on our future journeys; your generosity & welcome, your kindness, your commitment to making the world just a little bit better place.
Mixing musicals, I’ll finish with another favorite. I don’t know if we’ve been changed for the better – but because we’ve known you, we have been changed for good. Many blessings and Godspeed.
~ Revs Pam & Karen
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Stephen Sondheim No One Is Alone from Into the Woods (the Musical)