Dear Friend,
Have you noticed? Our experience of life is constantly changing.
As I mentioned in my talk this morning (rewatch it here), I have come to realize that every change I’ve ever experienced was orchestrated by a higher level of intelligence. Each change has taken me into a better life for myself and for those I love.
Last year, as we began developing our new strategic plan for Unity on the Bay, I was not surprised at the level of enthusiasm I had for the future of our community. I was a bit surprised, however, when Spirit gave me the insight that the plan was not mine to implement. It came to me with certainty: Unity on the Bay was on the precipice of a brand new day. So was I.
As I continued to remain open to guidance, it became clear to me that it was time for me to retire from field ministry effective October 31, 2022.
This decision, coupled with the impact of Covid-19 on my personal value system, has led me to make plans to return to my home town of Kansas City, Missouri, and explore the next chapter of my life. Yes, it will be colder! Yet it will also find me in the warm embrace of my family. In the midst of the winter months later this year, I am looking forward to completing and publishing the book that’s been on my mind and in my heart for the past 30 years.
From one perspective, the decision to retire came a little sooner than I was expecting. From another viewpoint, however, it’s totally clear to me that Spirit has been preparing me and Unity on the Bay for this change over several years.
We are blessed with a strong core of leaders in our community. Our Board of Trustees is stable, unified and solid. Our staff is competent and connected--to each other and to our community. Mutual love and respect has always been important to me as a leader. We have it. In the past few years alone, we recovered from a category 3 hurricane, moved through the sale of our former building, responded to a worldwide pandemic that pushed us at light speed into broadening our outreach through media, and launched an ongoing search to discover the site of our future home. We developed an ambitious strategic plan for our future and we are fortunate to have the resources to bring it into manifestation.
We are especially blessed by the presence of Rev. Juan del Hierro, who has been with us for nearly 20 years and presently serves as our Associate Minister. As you know, Juan is an outstanding, spiritually-centered individual and Unity minister with strong heart connections for every person we serve. He loves Unity on the Bay and the Unity Movement (he was recently elected Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Unity World Headquarters), and we love him. He has the passion, stamina, skills and talents to bring our future into reality.
Effective immediately, Juan and I will serve as co-ministers of our community, working side-by-side (as we have for many years) to ensure an orderly shifting of responsibilities between now and October, with a plan in place for him to become the next Senior Minister of Unity on the Bay. I know you will give him the same love and support you’ve offered to me.
Here are some important dates that I’d like to highlight:
February 27: You are invited to join me, Rev. Juan and our Board of Trustees for lunch and a time to ask questions and gain clarity around the specifics of this change and how it will unfold in the months to come. Please join us following the 11:15 AM Sunday Celebration on February 27 at Temple Israel. You can also attend online. (RSVP HERE)
March 20: Our long-time friend and Healthy Congregations Facilitator, Martha Creek, will be with us for a special Sunday Celebration talk and free workshop. Although our community is healthy and stable, I want you to have as much support available to you as possible through this transition.
August 18-21: Join me, Rev. Juan, and many of our other leaders at a special retreat at Unity Village in Lee Summit, Missouri. Details are forthcoming.
October 16: I will present my last Sunday Celebration talk as Senior Minister. This has been changed to Sunday, September 25, 2022.
Words cannot express the love I hold for each of you. Serving as friend and minister to you all these years has been the pinnacle of my career in the Unity Movement. Over the years, we have shared laughter and tears. We have all knitted ourselves into a bond of love that will endure forever. Thank you for the privilege and honor of the opportunity to be your Senior Minister.
During the next several months, let’s savor every possible moment of celebration for all we’ve shared during the past 16 years. Let’s embrace whatever emotions come our way from a space of love and fearlessness, and let us, one step at a time, continue moving forward in faith.
I love you,
Chris
Senior Minister
Unity on the Bay