We'd Like You to Meet Our New Minister

Dear Friends,

Words fail me in trying to describe the joy, excitement and pride I feel in accepting your collective invitation to serve as Senior Minister for Unity Church of Greater Hartford. I deeply appreciate both the honor and the responsibility involved, and I commit my fullest energies to supporting the hopes and expectations with which you make this choice.

During the weekend I recently spent with you I was struck by the warmth and commitment I felt in everyone I met. Unity of Greater Hartford is already a strong and healthy spiritual community – thanks to all those who have gone before me in the role of Senior Minister, and to all of you who commit your presence, tithes and energy. I am eager to discover with you the possibilities that lie ahead as we build upon the past and become an ever-growing force for new spiritual consciousness – in the Greater Hartford area, in the Unity movement, and in the world at large.

My first priority will be to get to know you all, and to make sure you have every chance to get to know me. I am still learning more about what ministry means in the 21^st century, but of one thing I am sure. The days of top-down, authoritarian church structure are behind us. I have been empowered to lead, and I accept that mandate. But I’ve also been invited to serve, and that will require a degree of comfort, trust and support with each other as we allow Spirit to guide us forward.

As my energy begins to blend with yours, there will inevitably be changes – and there will inevitably be people who disagree with those changes. (Just as there will be others unhappy that change isn’t more pervasive.) That’s all good. My commitment to you is that change doesn’t mean ‘upheaval,’ and that I have no interest in change just for the sake of change. Unity Church of Greater Hartford is a divine idea – a channel through which Spirit will heal and transform individual lives and our collective consciousness. Our job together is to keep the channel clear and flowing, to serve and support the creative energy that moves through – and to enjoy ourselves thoroughly in the process.

I’ve decided to stop saying that I don’t handle transitions well, because every time I say it Spirit sends me another transition for practice. So I’m affirming that these five weeks before I first stand before you as your minister will be a rich, joyful and easy experience of surrendering to the flow of Spirit that clearly intends to bring us together.

I’ll see you soon. I can’t wait to get started. And, again, thanks so much for the invitation!

Blessings!

Rev Ed