Weekly Message from T. J.

Boston Calling

Greetings and Aloha!

These past three weeks were a bit of a whirlwind. It’s hard to believe that today marks three weeks of being here with you at First Unitarian. In my first two weeks I spent a lot of time to getting to know my way around the church and the island. I also spent a lot of time preparing for the two worship services we shared on September 3 and September 10. It is wonderful to get to know so many of those who share this beautiful community. I feel very blessed.

Ministerial Fellowship Committee

Last week I traveled to Boston for a meeting at the Unitarian Universalist Association national headquarters. A few years ago the headquarters moved from an historic building at 25 Beacon Street to a newer, more functional and contemporary space at 24 Farnsworth. That was where I met with the Ministerial Fellowship Committee, or the MFC. The MFC is a group of Unitarian Universalist leaders, ministers, laypersons, and headquarters staff. The purpose of the meeting was to ask me questions and determine my fitness to be ordained. I’m very happy to report that all went well at the meeting and the MFC granted me what is called Preliminary Fellowship as a Unitarian Universalist minister. This means that I can be ordained.

Serving This Community

As wonderful as it feels to pass this milestone, it’s important to express how much more wonderful it feels to serve this amazing fellowship as its minister. The ways in which this community cares for one another and looks together at a shared future are humbling. I’m honored to be part of this community.

In the coming weeks and months that we will be together, I hope that you will consider meeting with me at church during office hours. We can talk together about what makes this your spiritual home and about anything on your mind that you care to share. You can reach me by e-mail by writing to minister@unitariansofhi.org. Please note that past ministers used this e-mail address, so email programs might remember their individual names. But any e-mails going to this address are being delivered to me and are only viewable by me. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Blessings,

T. J.