[Messages] Special Email - Message from Sally

[Rev. Joan Javier-Duval]

Please send Friday, June 17 if possible. Thank you!

Subject: A Message from Sally

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for the beautiful service, reception, cake and for all
the very special notes, kind words and lovely gifts on RE Sunday. I was
touched and humbled by all your kindnesses. Thanks also to all who met in
secret to clean the RE supplies and classrooms.  I was totally blown away
by your kindness, industry…and…shall I say…stealth.

I will close out this year, empty my office, and complete my time as your
DRE, by the end of this week. Then I’m head to Star Island to reboot,
recharge, and redirect.

At the end of the week, I will no longer be an administrator on our church
Facebook page, and I’ve sent my last Friends and Family of RE at UCM
newsletter.  My DRE email address will also be closed in the next week.
During the lag time between my departure and Liza’s arrival please address
any RE communications to Rev. Joan or Kairn Kelley,  RE Committee Chair.

Professional guidelines encourage me to give the Acting Director of
Religious Education, Liza Earle-Centers, as much space as possible to
ensure a smooth transition. She needs time and space to establish her own
identity and leadership style. To that end, I have made plans to be away
most Sundays throughout September, October, and December.  (November is
still up for grabs if you have any good ideas.)  You may see my husband,
Dave, and granddaughter, Fiona, from time to time, but you probably won’t
see me at Sunday services until close to Christmas.

I will refrain from taking part in any policy-making bodies in the
congregation for at least two years and during that time, I will not accept
or volunteer for roles in the religious education program.

It may take me a while to find my new place in the life of our
congregation.   As I explore and investigate options please give me space
to continue on my own spiritual journey.  In other words…don’t sign me up
for anything…yet.  I need time to just…be.

This is a small town.  We are going to run into each other on the street,
at the movies, in a restaurant or on Facebook.  I don’t plan to sever any
of those outside connections, but I do ask that you refrain from discussing
the RE program with me. Turn to Liza with your questions and for your
answers.  She is very capable, caring, and full of good ideas.

Liza is going to need your help to continue the strong program we have been
building together these past five years.  Volunteer to join a Sunday
morning teaching team even if it is just for the first semester.  Offer to
facilitate a book discussion or short workshop for Adult RE. Help with
snack, March Mystery Madness or work on the committee.  Clean the toys in
the nursery.  Borrowing from Rumi…There are a thousand ways to volunteer in
RE.

I have always, always considered this job to be a gift.  Thank you so much
for filling my life with joy, challenge, growth, wonder, grace and reasons
for gratitude.

With great affection and…smiles,

Sally




*Rev. Joan Javier-Duval* | *Minister*
Unitarian Church of Montpelier
ucm.revjoan at gmail.com | 802-223-7861 x1 | Facebook
<http://www.facebook.com/joaniemj> | Twitter <http://twitter.com/RevJoanUU>

*"We are each other's harvest; **we are each other's business; we are each
other's magnitude and bond." --Gwendolyn Brooks*
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