NOTES FROM DAN
Say what you will about the winter solstice – in our modern society the New Year begins just after Labor Day.
This the time of year when children, fresh with perfectly fitting clothing (and some they’ll “grow into”), brand new notebooks, good pens and sharp pencils, prepare to move into the next part of growing up, whether this is the wonder of kindergarten or the relative maturity of fifth grade. This is when businesses settle in for another year’s work, when politics gets serious again, and when we renew the bonds of our Unitarian Universalist community. Autumn is a time for marking how far we have come, taking stock of where we are, and moving into the future.
This September will mark the beginning of our fiftieth year together (our anniversary year is 2011), and a quick look around will tell us how far we have come in nearly five decades. In 1961, we were a tiny group meeting in rented space; today we worship in a beautiful sanctuary, with two packed parking lots, a full choir, and a diversity of services. For much of our history, our small children’s religious education program depended on a handful of volunteers; today we welcome to our staff a credentialed UU religious educator, Dawn Star Sarahs-Borschelt, who will work with more than 100 children and sixty adult volunteers in our vibrant, diverse Sunday School. For many years we were silent in the community; today we are known increasingly for our stands on equality and social justice issues, as well as our commitment to help others through the shared offering program.
Every September, too, I think of the memorial services I have performed over the years, the gifts of so many who are gone, and what they would say if they could see us now. Then I look forward to meeting a fresh group of newcomers, adults and children alike, each of whom will help shape this fellowship in their own way through the coming years.
We are blessed with many gifts. May it ever be so.
In faith,
Dan
DAN’S OFFICE HOURS
Dan’s Summer Schedule:
Summer office hours are by appointment.
August 10–23: Study leave/preparation time
During Dan’s leave, Pastoral Care Associates are available for regular consultation and visiting. When Dan is away on annual leave, neighboring UU ministers will be on call, and can be reached through our Administrator or Carol Myers.
Dan’s regular office hours will resume on Wednesday, September 8. They are:
Mondays: by appointment
Tuesdays: 4-7
Wednesdays: 4-7
Thursdays: Minister’s Writing Day
Fridays: Minister’s Sabbath