Hello UUCV Community,
Exciting News: an Intern Minister Search (IMS) Team has formed, consisting of Gary Zinik, Jim Waldron, Krista Mendelsohn, and Rev. Dana! The opening sentence of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Internship Manual states, “The internship requirement is one of the more critical formative experiences for those who seek to become fellowshipped Unitarian Universalist ministers and for the congregations that are committed to supporting our ministry.” The IMS Team has met a couple of times, and created a timeline to hopefully secure an Intern Minister for our church starting September 2023. Additionally, the IMS Team met with the UUCV board of trustees in May, who passed a motion to officially support the effort to bring an intern minister to our church. This is a win-win situation all around. We provide a rich hands-on learning experience for a minister in training, while the congregation reaps the benefit of a temporary new staff member with new energy and resources.
The IMS Team will be confirming funding for an Intern Minister, including UUCV budgeted money as well as a UUA grant. We are creating a profile for our church and the Intern Minister we are seeking to post on the UUA Internship Clearinghouse. With Jimmy’s assistance, we will also post that information on an Intern webpage on our church’s website.
What can you do? One of the most difficult aspects for a potential Intern Minister coming to work in our area of the country is finding affordable housing. If you have a rental property, granny flat, or other independent living space (e.g. NOT a room in your home that would require shared kitchen/bathroom, etc.) that you would be willing to offer to an Intern at no or low cost from Sept. 2023 to June 2024, please get in touch with Krista (kmendels7@gmail.com, 858-229-1414).
For some historical perspective, the last time our church had an Intern Minister was approximately 10 years ago when Rev. Kristen Rohm interned with us. Also, the UUCV 5 Year Vision Plan (adopted in March 2020), put forth the goal that our church become a Teaching Congregation and provide an internship, and that funds could be made available for this purpose from the existing Assistant Minister Fund and the Legacy Fund.
Please look for the Intern Minister item on an upcoming congregational meeting agenda as a way to share your support and ideas.
Warmly,
Krista Mendelsohn and The Intern Minister Search Team