The Ministry of Absence

A few of you have asked, and others might be wondering. What happens after I retire? Will I still come to church on Sundays? Can we get together for coffee? Will I be available to do a wedding? So I thought it might be good to share with you the guidelines that the UUA and the UU Ministers' Association have for retiring ministers. They ask that a retiring minister leave the congregation, and not perform any ministerial function for the members of that congregation following their departure. (So, no weddings.) They also ask that a retiring minister not attempt to become friends with their former members. It might sound drastic, but one source called it a ministry of absence.

If the former minister is absent, a space is created for something new to emerge. People are better able to connect with a new minister. First of all, this would be with an interim minister, whose work is designed to help the congregation in its transition. Then the congregation will vote to call a new settled minister. That minister will need time to get to know people, to make connections, to be there for you in a time of need, and inspire you with their preaching—to really become your minister. It is easier for that to happen if the former minister is not in the picture.

These guidelines for retiring ministers are put into place to support the ongoing health of the congregation, and the future of its ministry. They are also there to support the transition of the retiring minister. I will need time to sort out my new life, and who I will be in that life. I have not been making any commitments post-retirement, so that I can ease into that spaciousness and see what waits to emerge in me during the next phase of my life.

But there is another transition that happens maybe a few years later. Once the new minister is settled in, and things are going well, then the question can be opened up again about whether the retired minister might want to come to church or participate as a member or friend. Some retired ministers do become members of their former congregations, while others do not. At that point, it is a different kind of relationship. At that point, a retired minister might check in with the current minister to see how things are going and whether their presence would be helpful or welcome.

I was trying to think of an analogy that might help to explain it. Did you ever end a relationship with a partner, and wish you could be friends? I have had that experience. I learned that it can't happen right away. First of all I had to take time away from that person—to grieve the end of the relationship, and get really clear in my own separate life. But then, after a couple years of absence, I was able to become friends with some former partners. I think this might be true for ministry transitions as well. We need time apart to let go of the ministry relationship. But it may be that some day in the future, there could be a friendly connection.

Here is how I imagine the first couple of years. Margy and I will be staying in Portland, but neither of us will be actively connecting with members of Allen Avenue. We will go about our lives, and see what emerges. It may be that we will encounter members of Allen Avenue in that process—such as at a Permablitz or a rally in Monument Square or at the grocery store. It will be great to see you, and say hello, and do what we are doing together. We don't have to avoid each other in random situations. But we won't talk about church in that encounter. We won't ask how it is going at A2U2, and if you started to tell us, we would gently change the subject. Then we would go back to planting trees or carrying posters or getting our groceries. We live in the same town, so it would be natural to occasionally see each other.

One thing I do want to add—I will still care about you after I go. A2U2 will always be a part of me, and I will be a part of you. Maybe that is also why they call it a ministry of absence. It is another way to express that caring for this beloved community during this transition.

Affectionately, and still your minister for the next few months! Rev. Myke

What does preparing for retirement mean?

One of the biggest tasks is to pass along various bits of information or knowledge that I hold to others here at the church—this month, for example, I have been teaching our church administrator, Alice Alexander, how to do our UUA reporting each January. Each time I look around my office, I notice more such projects.

Realizing all that has to be done as a part of the leaving process, I wasn't sure how I would find time for it, added to what I already am doing each week. But then a colleague mentioned that her minister, preparing to retire after a long tenure in a congregation, brought back his “old favorite” sermons to preach during the last six months. That seems like a good idea to me on many levels—I like the idea of revisiting old reflections or important themes that are worth another exploration. Plus, there are many newer members for whom these would be totally new. And it will give me an extra day each week to tend to the tasks of leaving. I've started reading through many old sermons to determine which ones seem like they have something to offer for this time.

One old favorite that I want to share this month explores the story of Rev. Thomas Barnes, the early Universalist preacher who came to Portland and helped to lay the groundwork for our congregation to be formed in 1821. He is a part of A2U2 history and his message of love is inspiring even now. I also want to revisit “Gently Down the Stream,” about the wisdom of the Tao for living our lives with equanimity and flow. I imagine that I will still have some new things to say before I go, but it feels good to bring back words from other years as well.

On February 4th, we are participating with a wider UU program dedicated to Black Lives of UU—all of our readings, reflections, prayers, and music will be drawn from the voices of Black UU's or from the Black cultural experience in America. The idea is to de-center whiteness, and center the experience of people who for so many years have been on the margins of our movement and our society. Our Share the Plate during February will be devoted to this cause as well.

The UUA is inviting congregations to give donations, or to make a pledge for future donations as part of a $5.3 million dollar funding campaign for Black Lives of UU. Our district will match all of our contributions, and if we can stretch to give an average of $10 per member, or a total of $2330 during this year and next, those donations will be matched by a donor at the UUA. Since our Share the Plate funds usually come to only about $400-600 during a month, it will take some stretching to reach their invited level of commitment. If you are interested in making a special donation to this campaign, please contact me, or you can write a check to A2U2 with a note in the memo that is it for Black Lives of UU. You can find out more at https://www.uua.org/giving/areas-support/funds/promise-and-practice.

Affectionately,
Rev. Myke

What Does It Mean to Say Goodbye? (Part One)

I am writing this in the last days of 2017, in the bitter cold of winter. I wish for all of you many blessings in the coming new year.

As we come round into 2018, I know I must turn more intentionally to focus on the work involved in leaving this beloved community next summer, and what it means to say goodbye. Some of that work is inherently practical—I want to pass along to staff and volunteers, for example, the institutional memory that is now in my own mind, or in files in my office. So I will be sorting through files in my office, or on my computer, or just pondering what I know, to make sure that what needs to be passed along will find a good home among you. And what is not needed by you or me, I will let go of, so that the minister's office itself is ready for an interim minister to use in August.

Some of the work is spiritual and involves my consciously letting go of control, and leaning into trust. For example, I will let go of my role in the future planning of the congregation. I notice this already happening as the board talks about the process of hiring an interim minister—and I purposefully don't speak. In our UU way of transition, the current minister is not meant to offer any opinions about the future direction of the church. It will be up to the board, and to other volunteer church leaders, to do the work of preparing for the transition. I have been so accustomed to being in the thick of our planning for the future, and I have to admit that it is hard to let go of that. I have loved being the minister of A2U2, and so I feel a certain poignancy as aspects of that role begin to drop away. But as a spiritual practice, it is a growing edge that allows me to put my trust in the great River of Life and in all of you.

For your part, the spiritual work may involve realizing more deeply and clearly that this congregation's ministry and future belong to you. It will be your work to envision its hopes, to claim the aspects you cherish, to let go of what is no longer needed, and to imagine new ways to live its mission. And perhaps most of all, it will be your work to listen well to each other as you shape this future together. You may have different ideas about what is important, what you hope for, what you are concerned about—but if you listen well, the future will be more beautiful together than it could ever be if shaped by only one person or a small segment. You will grow spiritually by putting your trust in each other, and in the great River of Life.

Every ending is a chance to reflect on and practice for the larger endings in our lives, and the ultimate ending of death. They say that what is most important to those who are dying are four things—to forgive and be forgiven, to say thank you and be thanked, to express their love and be loved, and to say goodbye. The ending of a ministry also includes some of the same emotional tasks. It will be good for us to acknowledge the hard places, to ask for forgiveness for the ways we have disappointed or hurt each other, despite our best intentions. It will be good for us to reflect on our years of shared ministry, to celebrate that ministry, to express gratitude to each other. It will be good for us to express our love for each other. And eventually, it will be good to say goodbye to each other openly and with affection.

Of course, in the meantime, we will still worship together, we will still care for each other, we will still continue to live our mission in the best way we can, to offer hope and healing to a troubled world. If you have questions about any of this process, please let me know. I am your minister right now.

Affectionately, Rev. Myke

What does it mean to be a community of Presence?

Our theme for December is “What does it mean to be a community of presence?” I think of the obvious parallel—the best present we can give to someone is our presence. When we listen to each other, when we revere each other, we enact the power of love in each other's lives. Is there someone who needs your presence this holiday season?

I thought you might like to see some words of wisdom that were included in our packet from the Soul Matters Sharing Circle this month.

“This is the first, the wildest and the wisest thing I know: that the soul exists and is built entirely out of attentiveness.” ~Mary Oliver

“The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.” ~Henry Miller

“At the end of the day: do others feel loved in your presence? This is the spiritual bottom line.” ~Masin Kipp 

“Sometimes, people can go missing right before our very eyes. Sometimes, we lose sight of ourselves when we're not paying enough attention.” ~Cecelia Ahern

"When you love someone, the best thing you can offer is your presence. How can you love if you are not there? The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh 

“At the center of the world and in each breath this is the holy temple, the birthing moment: giving and receiving love. That is all. This is the sacred point, the love in you meeting the love in the world. However broken or weary you are, bring yourself here, in love, now.” ~Steve Garnaas-Holmes

Whether we are joyful or fearful, anxious or angry, lonely or inundated with other people in our house, love is the answer. One of my colleagues said on Facebook: “Love always wins.” Someone else said, “I don't know if love always wins, but I know that I must answer the call of love, win or lose.” May you find a way to answer the call of love, may you find a way to express and experience that love during this season of generosity and peace.

Affectionately,

Rev. Myke Johnson

Liminal Time

As I return to church from my four-month sabbatical, I am feeling grateful and deeply appreciative of this time. Thank you to all of you who helped to make it possible! It has been a wonderful opportunity for refreshment and renewal. But I am noticing that I haven’t actually finished the two big goals I set for myself at its beginning.

One goal was to complete and publish my book, Finding Our Way Home: A Spiritual Journey into Earth Community. I am happy to say that I was able to finish another full revision, and I sent out several queries/proposals to publishers. In a positive development, one publisher, after seeing three chapters asked to see the full manuscript. Now I am in another period of waiting to hear back. I am learning just how long the publishing process can be. I also submitted one of the chapters to the UU Church of the Larger Fellowship's publication Quest for Meaning, and am happy to announce that an edited version of it was just published in their September edition. You can find it at http://www.questformeaning.org/quest-article/forgiving-the-broken/

Another goal was for Margy and I to align our living situation with our ecological values. We have started a process to find greener housing. We are hoping to downsize, move closer into the Portland area, and find a house we can convert to solar energy. We had a chance to outline what we want in a new home; we engaged an environmentally knowledgable realtor; we have looked at many houses that didn’t fit, and we have sorted out financing options. We’ve also begun the process of simplifying and letting go of things we no longer need. Now we are waiting for a house that will match our hopes and needs. I also began blogging about our #searchforgreenerhousing at my blog at http://findingourwayhomeblog.wordpress.com (If you are interested, you can sign up on the blog page to receive posts by email—they also appear on my Facebook page.) Blogging has been a way to share the journey with the congregation, and it also helps me to stay present to the process, rather than to get anxious about completing it.

In the midst of all of this, a new goal emerged. In July, I was able to attend an 11-day Intensive workshop with eco-philosopher Joanna Macy, on the Work that Reconnects. I found myself more passionate about helping people to make the changes that can move human beings into a more beneficial relationship with all life on earth. That in itself is not a new goal, but rediscovering the tools that Joanna Macy has created for this work has been a true blessing. I am already planning ways to bring those practices into my ministry with the congregation, and beyond, starting with the worship service on September 20^th.

I feel like I have been planting seeds and tending the soil, but the harvest time is still up ahead somewhere, as yet unknown. And for now, it is important to let it be unknown. I love that there is a word for the sacredness of being in between one time and another. It is called liminal time. It is the moment when magic can happen, when anything can happen. I am in a liminal time with each of these goals. If I want to experience the sacredness of this time, I must open to its mystery and uncertainty, I must celebrate its possibility, I must wait for its unfolding. The Holy is right here.

I look forward to seeing all of you on our re-gathering Sunday, September 13^th! I hope these months have brought each of you some form of learning or beauty or kindness.

Rev. Myke

Ministry to the World

As most of you know, I will be going on sabbatical from April 15 to August 15. One of the goals for my sabbatical is to finish the book I have been working on: Finding Our Way Home: A Spiritual Journey Into Earth Community. I feel the call of this book very strongly, and have been working on it for three years, during summers or other time off from my work at the church. But the essence of the book work is not separate from my work at the church.

Part of the ministry of our church is our ministry to the wider world. Just as I have preached to you, I have long felt a call to preach to the wider world about the spiritual journey of our times, the spiritual journey into full community with the earth. Every day in the news, we hear about horrific environmental destruction. We hear about wars and violence against people and animals. How would any of that be possible, if we really understood our connection to all beings?

For many centuries, spirituality has been considered as separate from the earth. As a child I learned that this earth didn't really count—heaven was what counted. It took many years to break through that delusion. And I am sure it will take many more for us to realize what connection to the earth might fully entail. The deeper I go into this question, the more I understand how broken we have become, and the more I am called to find healing and wholeness. I feel such hope and possibility in this.

I want to say how much gratitude I have to all of you in this community for valuing both our “internal ministry” and our “ministry to the world.” I thank you for granting this sabbatical time for me to be able to do this work, and I also thank you for pursuing an environmental journey as a congregation. I will think of you every day while I am away, and feel our bonds as a strength for the challenge I have taken on. I look forward to sharing the completed project with you when I return, may it be so!

I know that while I am away you will care for each other with love and kindness, and continue to live our mission with enthusiasm. I have witnessed your goodness first hand. We have always fostered a ministry shared by all, and that shared ministry will be the foundation for these months. There are also many resources in place for the church to be strong and healthy while I am away.

We have our very first Intern Minister, Lyn Marshall, who has grown connected to our congregation, and has shown herself trustworthy and talented. She will be coordinating worship and pastoral ministry through the end of the church year in June. We have a compassionate and gifted Pastoral Care Team. Do you remember that it was originally created during my first sabbatical six years ago in 2009?  Please call on them when you have a need to talk. You can email or call the church and choose ext. 13. We have a marvelous Worship Committee who will continue to offer lay led worship per usual and through the summer.

The Committee on Ministry will be a resource for the unexpected, in any areas of church life that might need support. Rick Grover is chair of that committee this year. And I want to honor and thank Clay Atkinson, our congregation President, who is a true leader, forward-thinking and hard-working. Help him out while I am away! I look forward to hearing the latest on our Church and Grounds Renewal Project when I return.

May you find much joy and many blessings during these next months. Please keep me in your hearts as I keep you in mine.

                                                   Gratefully, Rev. Myke

Looking Ahead: Sabbatical

First of all, thank you to all of you who sent good wishes and prayers to my family for my father's recovery from a stroke. He is making progress each day, and can now use a walker to walk. It was good to be with him and my mom for several days.

As part of how UU churches support their ministers, our contracts include a plan for us to take a sabbatical every several years. We “earn” one month of sabbatical time for each year of service to a congregation. The Board of Trustees and I have agreed for me to take a four month sabbatical later this year, from April 15 to August 15, 2015. A sabbatical is an opportunity to be free from the daily and weekly demands of ministry, in order to delve more deeply into activities that can refresh and renew one's ministry, and thus be a benefit to minister and congregation.

My first hope for this sabbatical is to work on the completion my book, Finding Our Way Home: A Spiritual Journey into Earth Community. This book is an expression of the spiritual side of our work on ecological sustainability. My goal is to share the book with A2U2 members and friends, and with the wider world, as part of our witness to the environment. Some of you have seen earlier portions of the book, which I used to create the class Spirituality: For Searchers, Skeptics, Activists, Mystics and All Broken-hearted Lovers of Earth, and which I posted in a blog online called Finding Our Way Home.

My second hope for the sabbatical is for Margy and I to consider greater alignment with our ecological values in our own living situation. This process is not always simple, so by having time to dedicate to the question, we hope to take some steps closer to our ideals. Perhaps we might move to a smaller house, or one located nearer to the church, or find other ways to lower our carbon footprint. This time will give us the space to take stock in our personal lives of the values we have been proclaiming here at our spiritual community, and then to bring back to all of you our experience of that process.

On a personal note, one more hope for the sabbatical is for Margy and I to pursue her long-time dream of travel to Ireland.

The Committee on Ministry will coordinate preparation and support for the sabbatical time. On the practical side, 2 months of the sabbatical will take place during the summer season when I am usually on vacation and study leave. During the other 2 months (April 15-June 21) the Pastoral Care Team, the Worship Committee, and our Intern Minister will lead our continued church life—we are much more prepared for this sabbatical because we have strong lay leadership already in place. On 5 Sundays, a visiting minister will lead worship. Since I won't be taking vacation or study leave during the summer, I will take 2 weeks of vacation in the last half of November and 2 1/2 weeks of study leave during the first half of February this coming year, and something similar the following year.

To give you a simplified picture of the year, here are all the months, divided in half: Yellow= Time I am at church, while Green= Time I am away on vacation, study leave and sabbatical.

Sep

Sep

Oct

Oct

Nov

Nov

Dec

Dec

Jan

Jan

Feb

Feb

Mar

Mar

Apr

Apr

May

May

Jun

Jun

Jul

Jul

Aug

Aug

I am excited to deepen my participation in our environmental focus, through the work we do this year at church, and through the work I can do while on sabbatical. If you have any questions, please contact me, or the chair of the Committee on Ministry, Rick Grover.

Spring is Coming!

Hard to believe that spring is coming on such a cold day as I am writing, but I know it is. In four weeks, we will be surrounded by green. April is a lovely month, and I look forward to the unfolding of life all around us that it brings. Meanwhile, here at A2U2, many good things have been happening and are moving forward.

About twenty of us have participated in a Permaculture Design Course led by Lisa Fernandes during February and March. We explored the principles of permaculture, and began to think about how we might apply them to the needs of our buildings and our land and our people. The group worked with some of the priorities that were expressed in the Permaculture Survey that took place in January and February (remember that?) Just like the wintry season in Maine, much of the work has been hidden “underground” but soon you'll be hearing more about it.

Another “underground” activity is that the Committee on Ministry has been reading through all the notes taken during the small group meetings for the Review of the Ministry of the church that took place in January. The Committee is now at work converting that huge amount of information into some common themes and they hope to send you a report about it this Spring. Stay tuned.

Our church Auction has also been going on “underground”—(or rather online)--at Bidding for Good. You can still participate in bidding on items there until March 30^th. Check it out. The full-fledged--appetizers/dinner/and a great time to be had by all--A2U2 Spring Fever Auction is coming up on Saturday April 5^th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. There will also be activities, popcorn and pizza for children, so it will be a fun night out for the whole family. There is a cover charge of $10 per adult, but if you are not able to afford that cost, please let me know, and it can be waived. We want everyone to be able to attend.

I am looking forward once again to teaching my Spirituality class—Spirituality for Searchers, Skeptics, Activists, Mystics, and All Broken-Hearted Lovers of Earth. I so much enjoy this chance to go deeper with a group of people into our diverse spiritual journeys—talking and listening about how we define spirituality, how we connect with the earth, and each other, how we wrestle with the mystery of existence and the idea of God. If you want to be part of that conversation, please sign up by April 9^th, so I can send you reading materials in preparation for the first class on April 16^th. We will be meeting on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and there are readings to complete each week between classes. If you want to register, you can sign up on the Adult Enrichment board, or email me at revmyke a2u2.org.

May the spring bring abundance and life to all of our dearest hopes and dreams!

Rev. Myke