Since I started serving you last month, you have been so welcoming to this new
interim minister; we’re off to a wonderful start! At this point, you may be
wondering about more of the specifics of what a two-year interim period is like.
After 2 services lead by me, I dropped out of sight to attend the Introduction to UU
Ministry class online, with colleagues form around the country, for 40 hours. It
will be good to see y’all again on Labor Day weekend.

An interim period is to work toward several things. In general, it is a time for us to
examine and attend to any issues or goals that are lingering from the previous
ministries. These include what are called “The Five Developmental Tasks of
Interim Ministry.” At my first service on August 7, we symbolically unpacked
them from a suitcase.

In addition to the normal responsibilities of congregational ministry, including
worship and pastoral care, Intentional Interim Ministers are tasked with assisting a
congregation in:
• claiming and honoring its past and engaging and honoring its griefs and conflicts;
• recognizing its unique identity and its strengths, needs, and challenges;
• clarifying the appropriate leadership roles of minister(s), church staff, and lay
leaders and navigating the shifts in leadership that may accompany times of
transition;
• making appropriate use of Regional, UUA, and other outside resources; and
• proudly coming into possession of a renewed vision and strong stewardship,
prepared for new growth and new professional leadership, ready to embrace the
future with anticipation and zest.”

To all of you lovely people who make up UU Berks, our journey together is going
well, and I look forward to our ongoing process of getting to know each other and
the hopes and dreams you have for your congregation.

In peace with love,
Rev. Amy