From the Minister's Desk - April 2008

As you read this I will be about 6 minutes into a mini-sabbatical during the months of April and May.

April involves a number of long term and/or unavoidable church related commitments which changes the nature of the first month – but the support of Terry and other ministers in the District will relieve me of the responsibility for Sunday mornings, not an inconsiderable gift in preparation for May when I will spend some time out of the country and exploring Arizona.

This sabbatical will provide an opportunity for me to step back and look at the coming two to six years, for the church and for myself, without the pressure/pleasure of the day to day-ness of ministry. During April I will be available for emergencies and phone consultation. During May, Terry will carry the bulk of the ministerial load (although I plan to be available to Terry and the Board).

This is not a typical sabbatical. Given the tasks facing the church in the next 2 to 6 years – the expansion of our facilities to include RE space, meeting space, storage and the recovery of the full Fellowship Hall, increasing membership, and a growing presence outside our walls, there simply will not be time available for a longer typical sabbatical (usually one month for each year of service). In some ways this next two months is a kind of preparation, a deep breath, before for some hard work and exciting times ahead.

I hope you enjoy the presence of colleagues who have offered to help with pulpit supply. In some ways I envy you the chance to hear them. It is one of the losses (among many, many gains) of the ministry – ministers don’t get to go to church. At least not often enough.

I would like to thank the Board and the congregation for this opportunity. I hope the results will enrich us all.

All my best,

Walt

Rev. Dr. Walter F. Wieder
(please respond to: wwieder@uuma.org)