The Ministerial Search Committee is pleased to announce our work is complete, and we’re asking the First UU congregation to call Rev. Chris Jimmerson as our settled minister.

We’re grateful to congregants who shared your thoughts with us on a written survey, and to congregants who attended a variety of Search Party meetings and Focus Group meetings. We heard you and appreciated you sharing the qualities and functions you want in ministry. Next, the seven of us worked together to discern your feedback. We also studied Rev. Chris’ ministerial record, references and other information, and we interviewed him. Thus, we see Rev. Chris has much to offer this congregation to meet what you’ve said you want in ministry.

We see that Rev. Chris is not only a good match, he’s a great match. Next week, we’ll work with him to create a calendar of events for you to learn more about his expertise through one-on-one meetings. There will be a candidating week to provide additional opportunities for you to get to know Rev. Chris better both individually and in groups during the week before you have an opportunity to vote.

Please join us in celebrating this important milestone in the life of the church we love so much.

Your Ministerial Search Committee

Susan Thomson, chair, Carolyn Gremminger, Tomas Medina, Peggy Morton, Celeste Padilla, Tom Shindell, Bis Thornton

• whether the Search Process was comprehensive, inclusive, collaborative and transparent,
• whether the congregation was heard and represented accurately by the Search Committee,
• whether the Search Committee sees the qualities and gifts of the candidate are a good match for the congregation’s needs,
• whether the congregation is willing to move into a shared ministry partnership with the candidate, and
• whether this candidate is best for the whole congregation.

• what is best for a particular individual within the congregation,
• whether individuals think they would have chosen the candidate who was identified by the search committee on their own, given what they know about the congregation,
• whether individuals think that every sermon the candidate preaches will or will not speak to the hearts and minds of every single member every single time, whether there might be a better match out there somewhere, or whether the candidate is the perfect minister.

On Sunday, October 29, the congregation of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin will be voting “to affirm the Ministerial Search Committee’s recommendation to call the Rev. Chris Jimmerson as a Settled Minister.” Voting to call a settled minister is one of the most important votes you will cast as a member of this congregation. This is a unique type of vote – it is not the same as an election. You are not being asked to elect Rev. Chris. Instead, you are voting on the following issues:

• whether the Search Process was comprehensive, inclusive, collaborative and transparent,
• whether the congregation was heard and represented accurately by the Search Committee,
• whether the Search Committee sees the qualities and gifts of the candidate are a good match for the congregation’s needs,
• whether the congregation is willing to move into a shared ministry partnership with the candidate, and whether this candidate is best for the whole congregation.

You are NOT voting on:

• what is best for a particular individual within the congregation,
• whether individuals think they would have chosen the candidate who was identified by the search committee on their own, given what they know about the
  congregation,
• whether individuals think that every sermon the candidate preaches will or will not speak to the hearts and minds of every single member every single time,
• whether there might be a better match out there somewhere, or
• whether the candidate is the perfect minister.

In summary, this vote is not like a political election or popularity contest. Rather, it is the culmination of a process that identifies the church’s needs and asks whether the person we are considering, in this case Rev. Chris, has the qualities and gifts that are a good match for what the congregation needs.

Members of the Board will be available Sundays after each service to answer your questions about this or any other aspect of the Ministerial Transition.

Gretchen Riehl, Board President

Our Inside Books Project wants you to know 2 important things: 

 Who’s Stepping Up to Address the Climate Crisis? 

Effecting the Climate with Your Home Appliances

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)

Chaplain’s Corner

The Pet Loss Support Group that I lead is held on a monthly basis, and new participants are always welcome. The meetings occur in the evening, on the first Wednesday of each month, and last for one hour. Topics have included Stages of Grief, Grief Resources, Book Suggestions, Ritual and Mourning, and many others.

The next monthly Pet Loss Support Group will be held on  October 4th at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 6 p.m. MT / 5 p.m. PT. 

For a Zoom link and passcode, please contact Rev. Russell Elleven at: relleven@gmail.com (relleven at gmail dot com).

Wishing you peace, 
Rev. Russell Elleven, DMin
UUAM Chaplain & President
www.AnimalChaplain.net

2024 Pledge Drive – Rebuild. Renew. Rise Up.

With hearts full of hope and a spirit of unity, we invite you to join the 2024 First UU Stewardship Campaign. Commitment Sunday is coming on Sunday, October 1. This is the day that we will ask all members and friends to make their annual pledge to First UU.  We will then celebrate our pledges on October 15 with a Celebration Sunday Party (RSVP here!).

Our theme, “Rebuild, Renew, Rise Up,” is an affirmation of our commitment to creating a world of justice, compassion, and boundless possibility. As we begin this year’s campaign, we invite you to reflect on the profound impact we can make when we come together as a community united by shared values.

Join the hundreds of Austin families committed to the spiritual practice of supporting our progressive faith community by pledging on October 1.  If you already pledge, we encourage you to increase your support of First UU in 2024.  Learn more about pledging and the 2024 Pledge Drive on the Stewardship webpage.

Stewardship Helpers Needed!

To make the upcoming Pledge Drive a success, we need some volunteers.  We have lots of opportunities, from participating in a one time text bank on October 8, to helping with Celebration Sunday on October 15, to writing thank you notes to those who have pledged.

If you are able to assist, please sign up here or at the Stewardship Table in the Howson Hall after the service. Thank you for supporting First UU and the Stewardship team!

RSVP for Celebration Sunday on October 15

Celebration Sunday is coming on Sunday, October 15. After the service, we will celebrate our commitment to First UU and our pledges.  We’ll have music, food, and ice cream!   Please RSVP by clicking here so we know how much food to order!

To make the upcoming Pledge Drive a success, we need some volunteers.  We have lots of opportunities, from participating in a one time text bank on Sunday, October 8, to helping with Celebration Sunday on October 15, to writing thank you notes to those who have pledged.

If you are able to assist, please sign up here or at the Stewardship Table in the Howson Hall after the service. Thank you for supporting First UU and the Stewardship team!

Rebuild. Renew. Rise Up.

With hearts full of hope and a spirit of unity, we invite you to join the 2024 First UU Stewardship Campaign. Commitment Sunday is coming on Sunday, October 1. This is the day that we will ask all members and friends to make their annual pledge to First UU.  We will then celebrate our pledges on October 15 with a Celebration Sunday Party. RSVP here!

Our theme, “Rebuild, Renew, Rise Up,” is an affirmation of our commitment to creating a world of justice, compassion, and boundless possibility. As we begin this year’s campaign, we invite you to reflect on the profound impact we can make when we come together as a community united by shared values.

Join the hundreds of Austin families committed to the spiritual practice of supporting our progressive faith community by pledging on October 1.  If you already pledge, we encourage you to increase your support of First UU in 2024.  Learn more about pledging and the 2024 Pledge Drive on the Stewardship webpage.

Here are the materials for the September 10 Town Hall – Click Here.

We are encouraging you to attend the town hall in the sanctuary. This town hall will continue the discussions started at the 6/25 town hall concerning a possible land sale. The meeting will be led by Vic Cornell, Board President, and Dave Riehl, Board Treasurer. The discussion will be about the planned vote to release restricted funds, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 24th at 12:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. 

The vote will require a two-thirds vote to pass. Here’s your chance to be an informed voter. Come to the town hall, hear what the board has to say, ask questions, tell your friends.

Focus group meetings targeting specific groups at First UU Austin, who represent various demographic communities and ministries, have been planned as an important part of the ministerial search process. Feedback received during these meetings will help the Search Committee with its discernment of the ministry needs at First UU as we hear about lived experiences from group members.

The following Focus Group meetings have been scheduled:

• Parents of Children in RE: Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. via zoom
• Seniors: Wednesday, Sept. 13 at Noon in Howson Hall
• New First UU members: Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. in RE Classroom 15
• BIPOC members: Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. in RE Classroom 13
• LGBTQIA members: Thursday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. in RE Classroom 13

Invitations are being emailed to these group members. If you identify with one of these groups and do not receive an invitation, please know you’re welcome to attend. Sign up through Church Center is appreciated, or email searchcommittee@austinuu.org

The Seniors Focus group is part of the September Senior Lunch and has already been announced. It’s open to all Seniors at First UU even if you didn’t receive the email.

We look forward to hearing and learning from you during these meetings.