One of my favorite movies is "Arrival", a science fiction tale featuring linguist Louise Banks who is enlisted by the U.S. Army to help translate communications from one of several extraterrestrial spacecraft that have appeared across the world. The task is impossible. The aliens are fifteen feet tall, have seven legs or tentacles, and no discernable faces or language. They float behind a glass divider in a cloudy atmosphere poisonous to humans. Meeting after meeting passes without comprehension, without progress, with diminishing hope. There is simply no shared frame of reference.

In one of my favorite scenes Louise disobeys all protocols. She sheds the protection of her all-enveloping environmental suit, walks up to the transparent divider, and lays her hand on the glass. After a moment one of the aliens floats forward, slaps an enormous tentacle on the glass opposite Louise's hand, and lets it rest there.

"Now that's a proper hello," whispers Louise.

The journey of understanding has begun.

What does it mean to say hello?  It's such a familiar word, we take it for granted. It's a social tick mark and hardly registers in our consciousness. Yet, in English, the word hello is not simply an interjection used to express a greeting. It can also be an exclamation of surprise, wonder, elation. "Hello! What's this?!"  In other words, a genuine hello can be an undefended opening to the unknown and unexpected. An encounter based not in wariness but in welcome.

Have you made your "proper hello" to Reverend Jennie yet?

I guarantee she is no space alien! But she is different from what we've come to expect in our minister. She is unfamiliar. With her own ways of being with a congregation. New ideas. Different perspectives. Foreign ways of speaking. Let's welcome Rev. Jennie by making room for her newness and unfamiliarity. Surprise, wonder, and elation await us.

The next two years of Jennie's interim ministry with us will be an exciting time. A time of self-examination. A time of trying new things. A time of rediscovering who we most truly are -- and who we desire to be. Seeing with new eyes. Exploring new ways of being ourselves as 2U. In a conversation this evening, Rev. Jennie assured me this is a time for experimenting. I for one am looking forward to these two years as a transformational time of deeper relationships within and wider impact throughout.

Hello, Jennie. Hello. Welcome. There is room for you here -- in our city, in our congregation, in our hearts.

Let our journey together begin.

 

Dear Members and Friends,

 

A few weeks ago, I was walking on the treadmill at the fitness center. I aim for at least three times a week, of one hour, which is three miles. But sometimes I only do forty minutes at a time, which is only two miles. After half an hour I'd concluded I'd only walk for forty minutes, and then go back to my apartment to eat snacks. But then another woman came in, who was highly motivated. She stepped right up to the treadmill beside me, put in her earphones, and started walking. She was more prepared, and had clearer goals and plans. In short, she was more intentional about the work she was undertaking. Soon after she started walking, I said to myself, "Well, now I will do the whole three miles, now that I have someone beside me, motivating me."

 

We have begun undertaking what is called, "Intentional Interim Ministry." There are clear goals and plans that I have been trained in, and that I have helped several congregations achieve, successfully and enjoyably. So you can think of me as that woman who was beside me on the treadmill--motivated, determined, experienced, and clear in her goals--who will be working supportively alongside you for the coming two years. I view your congregation as a vehicle for the many ways you want to flourish into your fullest best selves, and work alongside others to bring more justice and beauty into the world. That's my vision of Leadership Development AND my vision of what we call "UU Lifespan Faith Development." To me, those two areas of church life are the same thing. I believe UU congregations are here to notice, highlight, and nurture human potential. Everyone has gifts, graces, and passions that can enhance a church and its wider community. And your congregation needs all kinds of people, and so does the whole world.

 

I have been getting settled in to my apartment and the minister's study. As your Interim Minister, my highest priority will be to listen to you. I have already had lovely conversations with several members and staff. And I very much look forward to hearing what is important to those of you I have not yet met.

 

I'm sure you are wondering what our time together will be like. I want you to know both that there is a plan, and that there is a lot of flexibility in that plan. This is true for both the worship services and the Intentional Interim Ministry ahead of us. I will aim for worship services that are relevant, engaging and inspiring to you. Each one will have at least one really good story that is heartening and helpful. Variety is one of the most important things in the planning of UU worship services over the course of the year [that's why we tell visitors to please come on several Sundays before they draw conclusions about UUism]. So in addition to Unitarian Universalism, services will incorporate Humanism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Science, classical philosophy, and earth-centered spirituality. [I've also taken workshops in using humor well on Sunday mornings.]

For an "Intentional Interim Ministry," your board and I will work together on five specific tasks. They are written into my contract as assisting the congregation with:

 

a)  Claiming and honoring its past and engaging and acknowledging its griefs and conflicts;

b)  Recognizing its unique identity and its strengths, needs, and challenges;

c)  Understanding the appropriate leadership roles of minister(s), church staff, and lay leaders and navigating the shifts in leadership that may accompany times of transition;

d)  Making appropriate use of District, UUA, and other resources, and;

e)  Renewing its vision, strengthening its stewardship, preparing for new growth and new professional leadership, ready to embrace the future with anticipation and zest.

 

At three points over these two years, the board and I will each write an appraisal of the progress in light of these five tasks. Our highest goal and dearest hope will be a successful Search Process culminating with a vote-to-call a new settled minister in the spring of 2019.

 

As such, we'll need to look at 2U's history in general, and specifically at its relationships with ministers. My role is to do what is normative for UU ministry for a congregation like yours today. The way I was taught to be an interim minister is to keep "holding up a mirror," as it were-- to keep reflecting back to you what you are expressing are 2U's griefs and joys; challenges and strengths; values, purpose, and dreams. Whenever possible, I'm supposed to help you name things for yourselves, in your own words and your own time, rather than name things for you.

Together we will clarify just who 2U is, and what it is here for, so it can then flourish into its fullest best self--because Chicago, and Illinois, and our nation, and the world need your congregation to be as strong, motivated, lively, and empowered as it can possibly be.--because Unitarian Universalism changes people's lives for the better. We will notice and encourage all the good things you are already doing. And we'll try a bunch of new things, too. I am delighted to be starting up as your new Interim Minister! And it will be my joy and honor to keep moving forward with all of you.

 

With care and cheer,

 

Rev. Jennie

"It's a privilege to be here."

Please join us for another installment of the 2U Yard Day on Sunday, August 20  after the service. Big news: the 2U garden has advanced to the next round in the Chicago Excellence In Gardening competition and a judge will soon visit 2U to assess our space. We'd like for it to be looking its best. If you're able, then please plan to join us as we weed, sweep, water, and tidy the garden. There's lots to do! Bring your gardening gloves and any small tools (weed diggers) if you have them. Dress for mess. All ages are welcome. Mark your calendar for future yard days: September 23 (morning) and 24 (afternoon), and October 14 (morning) and 15 (afternoon). Please contact Monica Drane at 312.550.3412 with questions.

The retreat will be held in community with other congregations and not at 2U, but the follow-up sessions will be at 2U.

Interested? Have logistical questions?  Contact Tom Denio at  773.458.3674  or  [email protected]

For more information:

Webpage  at Meadville Lombard.