Minister's Column – Jan. 2017

Happy New Year.
So we enter a new year together. I’ve been around now just long enough to have gotten to know a few of you pretty well, many enough to want to know more, and some hardly or not at all.
There is a 60-year-old piece called “When to Call the Min­ister.” Some of it is pretty dated, so here is my updated and revised version.
When to Call the Minister?
Here are a few suggestions:
✓ When you haven’t met me yet, but would like to
✓ When you are worried about your teenagers … or your aging parents.
✓ When you’re going in the hospital or know someone else in the congregation who is.
✓ When you have lost a loved one or an animal companion.
✓ When you’re pregnant (but don’t want to be).
✓ When you have a child to be dedicated.
✓ When you’ve been arrested (or ought to be).
✓ When you are having a spiritual crisis or life crisis.
✓ When you have a friend or neighbor who would like more information about Unitarian Universalism.
✓ When you’d like to show us what a good cook you are!
✓ When you have suggestions to make about programs for the church, sermons or Sunday services.
✓ When you’d like help with committee work or with other congregational activities.
✓ When you’re mad at me.
✓ When you’d like to talk religion with me. (That one is my favorite!)
This is a serious (and sometimes really fun!) part of the work I do among you. I share it gratefully with the Caring Team and the newly forming Pastoral Associates – a trained cadre of folks who reach out and coordinate our pastoral efforts.
I have no set office hours, and am generally available Monday through Thursday. I will happily arrange a time that works for us best. Fridays are my Sabbath, and I will only respond to the most urgent of matters or outright emergencies. Saturday is mostly reserved as a writing day.
Some people are reluctant to call my cell phone, though I have become completely unhooked from a landline. So please call or text on my cell phone. It’s really the fastest way to reach me. 503/312-0401.
With love,
Rev. Dana