From Our Board President
Dear Fellow Countryside Members and Friends –
August 2026 will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Countryside Church. Our new contract minister, Rev. Dr. Emma Farrell (they/them) will begin their ministry with us during the first week of August,
To refresh your memory, Rev. Dr. Emma most recently served as the ministerial intern at the Unitarian Church of Evanston (UCE). They received their MDiv degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School this past spring and they were ordained as a UU Minister in a beautiful and uplifting service at Unity Temple in June. Emma has a Ph.D. in Biochemistry (2010) and a B.A. in Biology (2004). Prior to entering ministry, they worked in academia as a biochemistry researcher, taught at several universities, and worked in the private sector as an analytical chemist. Emma consistently found the most meaningful parts of their jobs to be the relational ones. Emma’s theological leanings are religious naturalist and Buddhist. Emma has two young children, enjoys blues dancing, tutoring science and math, and consumes all kinds of books.
In their ministerial profile, Emma says this about their call to ministry: “This call has been echoing through my life for years. Every step, from science to teaching to parenting to serving in ministerial capacities has affirmed this. Each vocation I’ve pursued has pointed toward ministry as the truest integration of who I am: relational, curious, and devoted to cultural change and meaning making in community. It feels less like a new direction and more like finally coming home. I feel called first and foremost to parish ministry that is deeply relational, justice centered, and relevant to the changing world, … I hope to serve a congregation that wants to balance comfort in caring for each other with the discomfort of growing.”
While Rev. Emma will not lead a worship service until the second Sunday in September, they will spend most of August determining their weekly schedule, settling into their new office, setting office hours, and meeting congregants through small group meetings. However, most congregants can (briefly) meet with and greet Rev. Emma at the congregational potluck which will be held after the service on Sunday August 9. It is my understanding that Rev. Emma will attend most Sunday services in August, so you’ll have other chances to introduce yourself to them soon.
In addition, Emma will be getting to know and building relationships with Laurie Lantz, our Congregational Administrator; Dr. Mary Lamb Shelden, our Director of Religious Exploration; and Alison Vernon, our Music Director. Emma will have their hands full for their first few months at CCUU, so please be patient with them and give them the space and support they need to get their ministry off to a good start.
On a different matter, the Village of Palatine has approved our solar panel project plans so construction can hopefully begin in August. While this project hasn’t moved along on the schedule we originally set out, at least we will have the new solar panels in place, probably by sometime in September. That’s great news.
All in all, things are looking up for CCUU. I can’t wait for all of us to begin working with Rev. Dr. Emma to see how the church grows and evolves during the upcoming year.
Thank you,
Gary LaBedz, Board President