Dear Friends,
“Congratulations, you’re no longer a rookie,” my rabbi friend David said with a smile to me during our interfaith clergy group meeting this morning.
David was referring to the addition of a new colleague to our group that day . . . and to the fact that I was no longer the recruit in the room. It has been almost a year since I joined this clergy group, a group whose participation now includes a Methodist minister, David, an Episcopal priest, our group facilitator and me.
My days as the recruit had come to an end. And so it is my turn to be welcoming to our newest member, to learn some of her story, and to make space for the new lessons between us.
I’m aware that it can also be said that my rookie year at Northwest has come to an end. After having the month of July off, it felt good to pull my car into the Northwest parking lot this past week, turn the key in my office door lock and sit at my computer. Thanks to some thoughtful tending on the part of our sexton Deb, the sole potted plant on my desk survived my absence and looked healthy and well-watered. I unloaded some new books I bought over the summer, got caught up with the staff and have settled into the business of planning for the fall program year ahead.
Year Two of my ministry is upon me and, hopefully, it brings with it a bit of wisdom from Year One. Time will tell exactly what those lessons learned are and what the new ones will be. One thing is for sure: the lessons will continue as long as I am open to growing and changing. Growth and change are perhaps the greatest gifts I received from Northwest this past year . . . and they are something I hope to contribute in return.
I’m looking forward to seeing you! My schedule has changed a bit this year:
- Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – I am at Northwest from 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Thursday is my sermon-writing day (and am available for pastoral care emergencies only)
- Fridays are my day off (available for pastoral care emergencies only)
If you would like to meet, making an appointment in advance works best. I schedule my own calendar, so please call me at the office (770-955-1408) or e-mail me at minister@nwuuc.org.
It’s good to be back . . . and no longer a rookie!
Warmly,
Terry