On September 1st, we begin a second year of this consulting ministry, and we also begin something entirely new. For the first time ever, First Church, Community Church, and North Shore will partner together to share ministry, as a way of supporting North Shore in this transition year. Rev. Jim and I, along with the boards of Community and First Church, have agreed to provide part-time ministerial services to the North Shore UU congregation as they prepare for a search for a new minister for the year 2010-2011.
As many of you know, the damage to church buildings and membership caused by the aftermath of Katrina left the North Shore congregation with a crippling choice. They could either pay their mortgage (obtained in good economic times when membership was high), or they could pay a minister, but they could not do both. When it is completed and successful, the Greater New Orleans Unitarian Universalist capital campaign (better known as GNOUU) will pay off North Shore's mortgage, thus allowing them to move forward with settled ministry. But right now, they need our help and support, and I am proud that the leaders of First Church have stepped forward in fellowship.
The proposed agreement (which may be signed by the time you read this) offers North Shore one worship service by me every other month in this church year, for a total of 6, along with monthly administrative, pastoral, and educational assistance for a total of 6 units per month. (The UUA recommends that the work time of ministers and other professionals be broken into "units" of 3-4 hours, consisting of a morning, afternoon, or an evening, with a suggested 48 units per month being considered full-time.) To accommodate this time spent across the lake, the Board and I have worked out a priority list of First Church team meetings (the first year of the consulting ministry, to demonstrate presence and to help support the church, I attended almost every church team meeting), as well as a slightly shorter schedule of office hours that will occur mostly in the late afternoons and early evenings, which is when most working parishioners can meet with me anyway.
North Shore will pay an agreed-upon amount (close to $1000 a month) to First Church to compensate for my time; this contribution will allow our church to raise the Ministerial Package (salary, housing, insurance, retirement) to within UUA guidelines for a church our size in our area, for a minister with 15+ years of experience. This gives First Church a year's "grace period" in which to get ready to raise that amount on its own for the following year -- no matter who is minister.
For those First Churchers who expressed a desire to see the consulting ministry become a settled ministry, or at least become a more long-term ministry, the First Church Board and I have agreed to sign an 18-month contract, instead of just one year. This has 2 advantages -- it "locks in" the ministry for a longer period, and it put the contract in line with First Church's fiscal year. I have assured the Board and church members that I am open to conversations about transitioning to settled ministry, but that there is no need to rush. The church needs to be able to sustain a settled ministry, and there ought to be no concerns about my possibly leaving. As I have said over and over, I am never leaving New Orleans again.
I honestly do not believe that most First Churchers will notice a diminution in ministerial services or pastoral care this year. First Church and First Churchers will always take precedence for me; if you need me, do not hesitate to call me or email me. I am here for you. While it is true that I will be out of the pulpit 6 more Sundays per year, it is also true that we are blessed with the participation of UU ministers from all around the country in the Rebirth Volunteer Center, and we have not always taken full advantage of their eagerness to be of help to us. There will be absolutely no loss of quality worship, and I will assist the Worship Team in putting together a strong and vibrant worship calendar for 2009-2010.
I am also planning to offer this year a new UUA adult curriculum on spirituality called "Spirit of Life" both here and at North Shore. I think it's a wonderful avenue for exploring our own UU way of being spiritual, and it's also a great way of strengthening community. I, like most of you, look forward to the completion this year of our new kitchen, after which time I am imagining a rebirth of church fellowship and social activities (potlucks and game nights, anyone?).
I am grateful to be serving as your minister, and proud that First Church is so committed to our sister UU congregation that we would enter into this new arrangement. I look forward to this new year!
See you in church!
MELANIE
MELANIE
