Calling Rev. Jen Crow

Jen arrived at our congregation in the summer of 2012 as our new Minister of Program Life. Jen brought with her 8 years of experience in the ministry, and several years of service to our larger Unitarian Universalist Association. The creator of Wellspring, a Unitarian Universalist Program of Spiritual Deepening, a curriculum used in over 25 congregations, Jen has touched many individuals and congregations. Jen has served as a member of the Unitarian Universalist Minister’s Association Committee on Ethics and Collegiality, as a coach for other ministers, a mentor for new ministers, and a supervisor for 7 ministerial interns. Her writing can be found in both Rev. X: How Generation X Ministers are Shaping Unitarian Universalism, and Not For Ourselves Alone: Theological Essays on Relationship. Jen currently serves as the President of our Prairie Star Chapter of the Unitarian Universalist Minister’s Association.

As a hired minister these past 3 years, Jen reported directly to our Senior Minister, Rev. Justin Schroeder, and was responsible for overseeing the ministries of Pastoral Care, Faithful Action, Adult Spiritual Development, Membership, and ministry to Children, Youth and Families. In this time, we’ve experienced stability and new depth in our program life. It would be impossible to name all that has happened as Jen has partnered with congregants and staff these past three years, but here are a few things of note:

• The House That Love Built – together we raised $115,000 to build a home with Habitat for Humanity
• Families Moving Forward – we will become a host congregation for families experiencing homelessness beginning this fall
• A rejuvenated Environmental Justice team
• New structures for our Faithful Action ministry
• Wellspring is thriving in our congregation
• Spiritual development opportunities for adults have expanded
• A refreshed membership process for individuals joining the church
• Our religious education volunteers and classes are well supported and spiritually grounded
• Our ministry of Congregational Care has expanded to include welcoming new babies, a 15 member Pastoral Care Team of visitors, a chore service, and annual gifts of poinsettias for those who have experienced a loss.

As a called minister, Jen will be directly accountable to and can only be dismissed by a vote of the Membership. Jen will continue to oversee the program life of the church and will take on oversight of the operations of the church. This means that Jen will be responsible for the creation and monitoring of our annual budget and will work directly with the Board of Trustees to ensure the financial integrity of the church. Jen will also supervise our operations staff team, and will work with Justin to ensure that First Universalist becomes one of the best places to work in our Association. In our structure of policy governance, Justin, Jen and the Board all agree that it is best for the Board to delegate supervision of Jen to the Senior Minister. Calling Jen as a minister of our congregation represents an affirmation of her ministry with us, and an acknowledgment of the breadth of the new role she will be taking on.