Dear Members & Friends of Second Unitarian Church,
My last day at 2U is
fast approaching. I feel so blessed to have been your intern minister and also
your Summer Minister. There is so much that I have learned over the past year, I'm not sure how to say it all. But one thing I can honestly say is that
this has been one of the best years of my life.
The past year has taught
me many skills, such as crafting a worship service, writing a sermon,
governance, church administration, pastoral care, and religious education, to
name a few. I think this church truly understands what it means to be a
teaching church. This has come through in how you helped shape me into the
minister I am today. You let me try almost anything I thought of. You let me
succeed and fail. You let me learn from your example and feedback, but also let
me develop my own ministerial style. My wonderful internship committee was
also a great support to me throughout my internship.
Some of my favorite
times at 2U were the events we held. Our service "days on" during the year
during which we got together to work around the church, helped with the Night
Ministry and did other service projects were so much fun. The music fundraiser
was an amazing night full of the wonderful talent of our church. The Easter food
drive was definitely a highlight of the year. And Show Tune Sunday was another
day that everyone, from the kids to adults, worked together on something we all
care about. What I loved the most about these times was that they were all
opportunities for us to be in community together. They were the times when I got
to know you on a more personal level. From each of you I have learned different
lessons. Each of you has touched my life in a memorable way and your care and
guidance will continually be a source of strength in my future
ministry.
When new members sign the membership book, our Membership
Coordinator, Lisa Todd often says that the membership book is like a UU book of
saints. The book dates all the way back to the 1800s. Lisa says that when she
sees that book she always thinks about all of those people who have been a part
of 2U who have done amazing things in the world. In the past year, I have found
that people from 2U have an amazing way of touching other people's lives. I feel
like that is what you have done for me. All of you 2U saints (members and
friends) have touched my life and now you are sending me off to spread a little
bit of 2U everywhere I go. That means I am a more loving and caring person than
I was a year ago. That means I am more likely to speak up for what I believe and
be more involved in taking action when I see injustice.
Thank you also
for welcoming my family into the church. Being a minister's spouse and
minister's kid can be hard for many people. But you welcomed them with open arms
and let them just be who they are. Not "Katie's husband" or "Katie's son," but
just Jeff and Jeffrey. A seminarian's internship year is a year of learning for
the whole family, not just the student. You have allowed them to learn how to
have a healthy, strong relationship with a church in the midst of being part of
the minister's family.
One last thing I must mention is how amazing Rev.
Jennifer, Lisa, Suzanne, Gabrielle, Brett & Blake are. I loved working with
every one of them. They helped teach me the technical skills and spiritual depth
needed to minister to a vibrant church. They are caring, fun and creative. Rev.
Jennifer taught me to be confident and caring. Lisa showed me what hospitality
and community really means. Suzanne showed what can happen when your financial
life and values meet. Brett and Blake both taught me the importance of music in
worship, how it is a musical message, not just place holder. And Gabrielle
showed me how to nurture children's spirituality in a meaningful way.
Thank you to all of you for your commitment to me over this past year
and your commitment to all of the rest of the seminarians who have come before
me and who you will teach in the future.
I will truly miss you all. As
the song "For Good" from "Wicked" says, "my life has been changed for the better
because I knew you."
With Love,
Katie Norris
Summer Minister
