A few weeks ago, our Association Minister, Rev. Bob Mutton, contacted me to ask if I might be willing to serve as the interim minister for the Whitewater Congregational United Church of Christ, until the congregation hired its new pastor. He told me that the interim minister, Craig Jan-McMahon, was being hired as the permanent pastor of the New Glarus Swiss Reformed United Church of Christ, and that the Whitewater church needed an interim pastor for about five or six months beginning in July.

I told him I would be willing to meet with church leaders from Whitewater to learn what their needs were, and see if we would be a good fit on a short-term basis. Before Rev. Mutton’s call, I had been doing a lot of praying about the direction my career needed to take, especially since there were so many changes taking place at Countryside Home, where I work as the Director of Volunteer Services. I believe Rev. Mutton’s call was God’s call to me to consider this opportunity.

I met with the church leaders and we had a good first conversation, but I told them there were many puzzle pieces which needed to come into place before I could accept this position—the first being my commitment to our congregation and our shared ministry of faith formation, the second being my commitment to the residents and staff at Countryside Home, and third being my commitment to my family. Both Tammy Green, the chair of the Board of Education and Youth, and Vicki York, our moderator, were supportive of me accepting this temporary position, and willing to help Pastor Chris and me put all the pieces together to plan for the fall. The Personnel Committee is granting me an unpaid leave-of-absence, beginning in August and concluding at the end of this year (or earlier, if the Whitewater church hires someone more quickly).

I spoke with my boss at Countryside Home, and she also supported me in serving as the Whitewater pastor. Because I did not feel comfortable leaving my permanent position at Countryside Home for a temporary ministry position, I am only going to serve as a part-time pastor for the Whitewater church, and continue working at Countryside Home part-time.

Finally, my family—Pastor Chris and Aidan—also expressed their support for my taking this ministry job. They knew this would be a good experience for me to grow in my ministry skills, and that the gifts I could offer would be helpful to the Whitewater congregation. Aidan especially wanted to make sure that the Whitewater church treated me well.

During July, I will work with our Board of Christian Education and Youth, Tammy Green, Vicki York, and Pastor Chris to ensure that our Christian Education program is well-planned before I take my leave-of-absence. In negotiating my contract with the Whitewater church, I told them that the First Congregational United Church of Christ of Fort Atkinson was working hard to facilitate this process and assist with their pastoral needs, but that the church (all of you) expected me to return at the end of the year (or early 2011). This was written into my contract. I will begin serving the Whitewater church July 6, with my first Sunday preaching July 11.

I realize that some things will look and feel different for our Christian Education programs in the fall, most notably on Sunday mornings when I am not there to open Sunday School or work with Mary Narkis to teach our “No Stress Zone.” However, I am confident that we can work through this time so that the children, youth and adults of our congregation still can grow in their love of God, and have meaningful experiences with their teachers, peers and the congregation.

Please talk to me, Tammy Green, Vicki York or Pastor Chris if you have any questions. I want to thank them for their encouragement, planning and care throughout all this! We look forward to working with you to make this fall a fruitful season of spirit and joy!

Part of my discernment in this journey has been related to God’s desire for me to pursue ordination, and in the future, I hope to share this experience with you.

Blessings to you,