Dear UU Schenectady~

Thanks to all who participated in the interfaith Earth Day Mitzvah at Vale Cemetery. It was so good to see so many folks from UUSS present!

On Sunday evening, we attended the installation service of Rev. Theresa Soto, as the senior minister of the First Unitarian Church of Oakland, (FUCO). This is our installation-versary month with UUSS. For those who don’t know, an installation is a worship service ritual that acknowledges the covenant between a called minister and the congregation they serve.

We have known Theresa since they were in seminary, and we both have worked at FUCO. It was a joy to witness this event celebrating this shared ministry. One element in the installation is a Charge to the Congregation. This is a time when someone makes a request of the congregation, or encourages them not to forget some important truths.

Rev. Cecelia Kingman, who interned with the Oakland church, offered these remarks. She said that shared ministry, (the work of a congregation by lay-leaders and clergy,) is not like sharing a doughnut with sprinkles, but more like playing a game of soccer, where each team member shows up, and is ready for when the ball is passed to them. Sometimes we rest and cheer the others on. Sometimes we are in the game, using our skills and energy as best we can, and learning more together along the way.

If you are interested in “getting into the game” at UUSS, please know that there are so many ways to participate and serve together. This coming year will include shared ministry in new and exciting ways. None of us has ever come back together as a congregation after a pandemic, (some being in-person for the first time.) There will be stories to share, and laughter and tears. There will be work to do together, for justice. Want to find your place on the team? Let us know.

In faith~ Rev. Lynn and Rev. Wendy