February 29, 2020
Dear members and friends of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Midland,
I am writing to let you know that after five years as your minister, I have decided to step down from my position in June. My last Sunday in the pulpit will be June 7, 2020. My last day will be June 10, 2020.
Serving you as your minister has been, and remains, one of the great gifts of my life.
I am honored at the ways you have invited me into your lives, shared with me your joys and sorrows, and allowed me to accompany you through significant life transitions. I feel real grief about having to say goodbye to all of you. I love being your minister! I love being together on Sundays. I love talking with you about your ideas and your hopes, your pains and your passions. I love watching the children in our classes and services grow and learn. I love working with our committed staff and exceptional lay leaders.
I’m leaving because, for about ten years, my vocation has been primary in my family’s life. It is time for us to shift focus to my spouse’s career. My family and I are moving to Albuquerque where Ethan will be better able to find work in his field.
In the coming weeks, the Board will share with you a road map for ministerial transition. The Unitarian Universalist Association is prepared to support UUCOM through this transition.
I will be sharing with prospective ministers my glowing review of UUCOM. This is a church where many ministers would be happy and fulfilled. This is a healthy church with caring and committed leaders. This is a church that values professional ministry and treats its minister well. This is a church that has been growing and deepening in so many significant ways and is well positioned to launch into its next chapter of even greater impact.
As I will preach about on Sunday, March 1st, during any change or ending in our lives, it is important to be intentional about the emotional and spiritual tasks required for a “good ending.” Properly processing the various feelings and needs of an ending allow a congregation to move into its next chapter with power and promise.
This week I will be holding office hours at the following times and locations to be available to hear your reactions and/or questions. And as always, I am delighted to hear from you by email, text, or phone to set up other times to meet.
Wednesday, March 4th 5:00-6:00 at the church
Thursday, March 5th 12:00-2:00 at Brew St. Bakery 4610 N. Garfield St
Friday, March 6th 12:00-2:00 at the church
In the coming months, I hope for the opportunity to speak to many of you one-and-one and in small groups to share my gratitude and reflect on our time together.
In closing, I want to say that I believe in this church with all my heart, and in its mission to be a place of radical welcome, of spiritual growth, of real community. I have great faith in UUMidland’s future, and I have great faith in all of you.
With deep love and gratitude,
Rev. Emily Wright-Magoon
Members and Friends of UUCOM,
I hope this letter finds you well. News of transition can be difficult, but the search for a new minister is a process that this Church and congregation has been through many times in our history.
In the upcoming weeks and months, the congregation, board and possible search committee will be engaged in a process to find the next minister for our congregation. The last search for a minister occurred five years ago. While many in the congregation were uncertain at that time, having Emily come to our church brought in a new energy that we have all benefited from. I am excited to see what the future holds for our congregation.
If you are interested in assisting with this process, I invite you to reach out to a board member or Emily. Emily will be working with us on the initial stages of this transition.
Sincerely,
Tom Hull, Board President
As your incoming board president, I would like to express my gratitude to Rev. Emily and her family for the work they have done in our community and church to make it an even more beloved community. It is with mixed emotions that I wish them well on life’s path. I will miss them being here in Midland. I want to remind you all that as a community and church we have always survived. I have been going to this church since Alex was 18 months old, and we have seen many changes in these years. One thing always remains the same, the need for this church in our community. As Emily and Kayleigh preached a few Sundays ago, we, each of us, is OUR CHURCH. During the Love Your Church event a few Sundays ago, we were able to learn more about the ways we can engage in our church home and do meaningful work together. I hope you will reach out to us to find your path to connection as we go through this time of transition. This church has always been family to me, getting me through the hardest times in my life. Change is hard. Change is growth too. I would love to see us all pull together during this time in support and working together. I’m excited about the path ahead and hope you will speak to me, Tom, Emily, and each other about ways we want to grow and enrich our church experience.
In Peace,
Maureena Benavides,
Board President-Elect