Dearest Fellowship Community,
I am writing to share that, at the urging of my medical team, I am going to be taking eight weeks of medical leave from work at the Fellowship starting May 16, to rest and recuperate from recent months of medical challenges. I am aware that this is a difficult time for the Fellowship for this leave-taking to take place, given the changes in staffing and ministerial leadership and the stress of the (ongoing) pandemic. If I could avoid this, I would. I adore my ministry among you, and I look forward to being with you for many years to come. This medical leave will help me to return with the kind of health and energy I need to serve you well.
I have recruited additional ministerial coverage from Rev. Sydney Morris, a wonderful Oshkosh-based retired UU minister who preached for us on April 3, and a cadre of amazing guest and lay preachers. I am working with our staff and lay leadership as well as UUA staff resources to provide the Fellowship with support during this time of absence. Minister Ali will be with us through June, and our assistant minister transition team is in the process of seeking applicants for the open assistant minister position. Additionally, our staffing assessment team is gathering data from staff and similarly-sized congregations to make recommendations about possible future staffing structures for our congregation, within the constraints of our budget.
We are a Fellowship with a long history of supporting each other as members and friends. This is a time when we need extra help in living into that history. I ask that you continue to show up, in all the ways that we always do for each other. Come to services, bring your kid to religious education, volunteer with programs, help with music, or serve our wider community. We need you to support the work of the Fellowship and say “yes” if asked to help; there are going to be additional opportunities and needs for your assistance in the weeks and months to come. And finally, please resist the call of anxiety. Open yourself to the possibilities of this time of shared ministry, and offer each other and our staff team grace and understanding as we support each other through these next few months.
If you want to hear more about this plan, or ask questions of our staff and lay leadership, we invite you to an Open Meeting here at the Fellowship (or on Zoom) on Thursday, May 5, at 6:00 pm. Rev. Sydney Morris will be there, along with representatives of the Board of Directors, Healthy Congregation Team, Staffing Assessment Team, and Assistant Minister Transition Team to answer questions and give an update on their areas. We hope you attend! We want to know what is on your mind and in your heart for this amazing Fellowship community of ours.
With love and gratitude,
Rev. Christina
Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy
Senior Minister
