We are church—together

Dear First Universalist Church,

I am returning to our shared ministry after a sweet and tender parental leave. As many of you know, my wife and I welcomed our daughter, Frances, in December. It has been a joy and a gift to be entirely present to my family over the past three months, soaking in all the newness of this stage. 

I am deeply grateful to everyone who made my parental leave possible, especially to all of you who support our congregation (and thus our staffing capacity) financially; to our 80 (!!) incredible Children, Youth, and Family Ministries volunteers; and to our Children, Youth, and Families Advisory Team. I am also grateful to congregational leadership, past and present, for their commitment to providing parental leave for church employees. This should be—but is not yet—a bare minimum for all people. 

I give thanks as well for all of my fabulous colleagues on staff whose skills and collaboration allowed me to take this parental leave with total confidence. I am particularly grateful to Rev. Laura and Claire Tralle, who added hours and responsibilities to their roles while I was away and led with stunning ease and clarity. And as always, I am unfailingly grateful for our Program Specialist Hirut Hedge, whose leadership and brilliance continue to shine so brightly within our congregation and beyond. Each of you allowed me to step away for this special time with my family, and for that I am truly grateful.  

I re-enter my role in this congregation with openness and energy. I can’t wait to see you in the Social Hall or in the Sanctuary. I will delight in hearing all the updates about your cats and your grandkids and your spring break plans. I am equally eager to celebrate all that’s good with you and to pray about all that’s hard. And, of course, I’m guaranteed to tell you my latest and greatest dad jokes—and I’ve had a LOT of time to practice.

Dear ones, it is true now and always that we are church together. It is a gift to share ministry with each of you. I’m thrilled to say again: I’ll see you in church.

With care,

Allison