From the President – June 2010
This marks the last of my articles as president of the TJMC-UU Board, and I am awash in gratitude as I consider this past year.
I am grateful for the support this community gave to those entrusted with important missions of our church. The congregation has had plenty of opportunities to trust this year. First, we trusted the judgment of our ministerial search committee to take us into a third year of search for the right settled minister to call. We have also trusted the judgment of our interim search committee, who have brought us Rev. Dr. Janet Newman, whom I feel confident will shepherd us through another year of growth, taking what we have learned over the past two years of interim ministry and applying it to make us an even stronger and better community.
Most recently, you have trusted the leadership of the Board as we have faced fiscal challenges that required difficult budget decisions. Our congregational meeting could have been disastrous— with accusations and recriminations— but it was not. I am grateful not only for the words of trust and support of the Board’s decisions, but I am also thankful for those who spoke in disagreement. Yours was not a blind trust. You spoke from your hearts, questioning our decisions but not our intent. Even if we do see a jump in pledging and staff hours are restored (still a hope of mine), we must still work together to heal and to ensure that our programs in the coming year are vibrant and nurturing.
As we look to the coming year, I am grateful for those people who answered the call of this beloved community to serve on the Board and committees. I am especially grateful to those who will be leading us through the ministerial search process. Instead of being demoralized, you have made a great statement of faith by choosing to serve. We know this is a great responsibility but also a wonderful opportunity to serve and to grow.
Finally, I am grateful that you entrusted me with this role and thankful for the many people who loved and supported me through what has been a challenging tenure. The challenges, though, have been transformational. I have gained a more profound but more complicated love of this church and our denomination. It is not a blind love, but one understanding the messiness of being in relationship. Taking on leadership responsibilities has also strengthened my skills and my resolve to live out the principles of our free faith. So thank you for allowing me to take part in the shared ministry of our beloved community. I wish for all of you the same opportunities for transformation as you join in this ministry as well.
In gratitude and faith,
Pam Philips, President of the Board