It’s been about one month since I announced that I will be leaving as your settled minister at the end of July and I’d like to share a few thoughts with you about change and the future. First let me say how grateful I am for your kindness and understanding. So many of you have shared how happy you are for me and for Carol and have offered warm congratulations. That kind of compassionate and supportive response says so much about you and about the love that is the doctrine of this church.

Second, I’d like to say a word about all the change you are experiencing. I know change can be a cause for uncertainty and even anxiety. I want you to know that if ever a congregation was ready for and capable of handling and benefitting from change, it is the UU Church of Akron! You are a healthy, visionary, and active church community and I know that you will continue to thrive and to grow. Change also has the benefit of creating new opportunities and generating new ideas – opportunities to ask important questions that haven’t been asked in some time and to experiment with new ideas and ways of doing things and of being together.

Many of you have asked about next steps. You can feel confident in knowing that the Board of Trustees is already working with the Ministerial Transitions office at the Unitarian Universalist Association and that the process for hiring an interim minister is already underway. My contract ends on July 31 and the interim minister should begin soon thereafter. The interim is likely to serve for two years while the church prepares to search for and call a new settled minister. Over the coming months we will have time to reflect, to share stories and memories, and to celebrate our shared ministry. Let me conclude by saying again how grateful I am not only for the way you have responded to my decision but also for the love and kindness you have shared with me and my family over the last ten years. Serving the UU Church of Akron has been the greatest privilege of my life and I am so blessed to have been able to share this journey with all of you.

Rev. Tim