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Rev. Lyn’s - Plumb Line

The renowned Universalist minister, Rev. Clarence Skinner, over a half century ago once wrote:
“The Beloved Community is not an organization of individuals seeking private and selfish security for their souls. It is a new adventure, a spontaneous fellowship of consecrated men [and women] seeking a new world.”

This quote struck me as I encountered it recently, for this congregation in its transition time. Here at First Parish Church, you have spent the better part of two years now in living a new adventure in the life of your “Beloved Community.” I have had the pleasure of walking with you on this adventure and witnessing many new ways of being and thinking evolve as our months together have passed. You are indeed a community that not only seeks the “private and selfish security of your own souls,” but endeavors to work together for the world beyond.

This month we will celebrate together the successful completion of the building renovations done to our building. It will be a celebration where we are inviting our broader UU community and city community to celebrate with us.
Also, this month you will discover who my successor will be, whether it will be a settled minister or another interim minister. Change will occur, and with it an invitation to consider new ideas, new challenges, new considerations for both the inner workings of your congregational life and for your broader mission and vision for the future of your congregation, seeking a new world amid all the swirl of your everyday life here.

I invite you not to lose sight of the broader implications of all that you do, always with a view of what it will mean for the future well-being and health of this congregation.

With the deepest respect and affection,
Rev. Lyn

This will be my second and final year (August ‘09 – June ’10) as the interim minister here at First Parish Church in Beverly. The congregation and I are working together during this transition time between settled ministers in order to hone its effectiveness, strengthen its structure and enliven its enthusiasm for its future. Tasks that are moving along very well!

Having served churches either as a settled minister or interim minister in Massachusetts, New York, Florida and Virginia, I come with many years experience in ministry. And, I can say quite readily that I find this church to be one with many gifts, much vitality and more than enough wisdom, dedication and genuine care and concern for all and sundry, both for those within the congregation and in the larger world as well. Also, it has a lively sense of humor, a saving grace on many an occasion! It is a great pleasure working with them, and I feel that this church has much to offer any newcomer, whatever age or stage of life one may be in.

I know this congregation can do quite well with its new settled minister, which it plans to have on board in the late summer of 2010.

Page Updated 09 May, 2010 03:41 PM