Minister's June Report
June 14, 2022
Dear Borderlands Board of Directors,
It is with considerable sadness that I draft my final minister’s report. Since being invited by the Board to serve as the Developmental Minister in 2013 and then called by the congregation to serve as the full time settled minister in 2016, I have loved my shared ministry among the Members, Friends, and Guests of BUU. I will miss the spirit of our congregation and the many people who found - through our covenant - a spiritual home.
As of today, I have 16 days ahead of me. I will be filling them with the final steps to depart BUU on June 30th. My final Sunday worship will be June 19th and is entitled “Goodbye: A Celebration of Ministry.” Much like a celebration of life when someone dies, it will recognize our shared ministry, acknowledge the ending, and let go. Then, on June 25th, I’ll party with BUU 4-6pm. On June 30th, I will turn in my keys to Jermain, BUU’s Office Administrator.
In between these events I’ll be cleaning out my office as I continue to meet with Members and Friends. On June 17th and 24th, I’ll be holding the final Gratitude Gatherings rituals (and report on them in the following Wednesday Unitel reflections). I’ll also continue to meet with folks who prefer one-to-ones. Whether in a group or person to person, these meetings have been a time to reminisce, share regrets, and say our goodbyes.
Through all of these meetings, questions have been posed about BUU in the coming months and years. It has been both disarming and disappointing to some that my only response is, “I don’t know.” After almost nine years, there is a congregational expectation for me to have plans for BUU’s future. This is a responsibility I can no longer fulfill. BUU’s future is in the hands of BUU's leaders. For all who have accepted the responsibility of that leadership, I wish you the best.
During my final week, I will be removing myself from the borderlandsuu.org website. Unless there are references to me or my creative content, I’ll not be altering the website’s structure. I will be removing my videos, images, writings, and references. This should have only a moderate impact, as I designed the site to represent our shared ministry.
With these final steps I’ve outlined, I will take my leave from BUU and end contact with Members, Friends, and Guests for a year. The ending of ministerial ties and the creation of space (even at close proximity) is a best practice within our faith tradition. Respecting this, I will be stepping back from public work with the Baja 4 for a year. It is vital for you and I mourn the loss of our shared ministry, and separately initiate new ministries without influence upon one another.
Though it will be at least a year, there will be a day when I will meet you again, as your former minister. I look forward to that time, wish the best for your leaders, and will hold BUU in my heart.
With love,
Rev. Matthew Funke Crary
Minister, Borderlands Unitarian Universalist
Dear Borderlands Board of Directors,
It is with considerable sadness that I draft my final minister’s report. Since being invited by the Board to serve as the Developmental Minister in 2013 and then called by the congregation to serve as the full time settled minister in 2016, I have loved my shared ministry among the Members, Friends, and Guests of BUU. I will miss the spirit of our congregation and the many people who found - through our covenant - a spiritual home.
As of today, I have 16 days ahead of me. I will be filling them with the final steps to depart BUU on June 30th. My final Sunday worship will be June 19th and is entitled “Goodbye: A Celebration of Ministry.” Much like a celebration of life when someone dies, it will recognize our shared ministry, acknowledge the ending, and let go. Then, on June 25th, I’ll party with BUU 4-6pm. On June 30th, I will turn in my keys to Jermain, BUU’s Office Administrator.
In between these events I’ll be cleaning out my office as I continue to meet with Members and Friends. On June 17th and 24th, I’ll be holding the final Gratitude Gatherings rituals (and report on them in the following Wednesday Unitel reflections). I’ll also continue to meet with folks who prefer one-to-ones. Whether in a group or person to person, these meetings have been a time to reminisce, share regrets, and say our goodbyes.
Through all of these meetings, questions have been posed about BUU in the coming months and years. It has been both disarming and disappointing to some that my only response is, “I don’t know.” After almost nine years, there is a congregational expectation for me to have plans for BUU’s future. This is a responsibility I can no longer fulfill. BUU’s future is in the hands of BUU's leaders. For all who have accepted the responsibility of that leadership, I wish you the best.
During my final week, I will be removing myself from the borderlandsuu.org website. Unless there are references to me or my creative content, I’ll not be altering the website’s structure. I will be removing my videos, images, writings, and references. This should have only a moderate impact, as I designed the site to represent our shared ministry.
With these final steps I’ve outlined, I will take my leave from BUU and end contact with Members, Friends, and Guests for a year. The ending of ministerial ties and the creation of space (even at close proximity) is a best practice within our faith tradition. Respecting this, I will be stepping back from public work with the Baja 4 for a year. It is vital for you and I mourn the loss of our shared ministry, and separately initiate new ministries without influence upon one another.
Though it will be at least a year, there will be a day when I will meet you again, as your former minister. I look forward to that time, wish the best for your leaders, and will hold BUU in my heart.
With love,
Rev. Matthew Funke Crary
Minister, Borderlands Unitarian Universalist