Dear Friends,

The Governing Circle is delighted to share that we are beginning plans to ordain Reverend Cheryl Flaim as a Unitarian Universalist community minister this fall.

Ordination is one of the most meaningful acts a congregation can undertake. It is the congregation’s formal recognition that a minister has demonstrated the preparation, gifts, and commitment to serve others in Unitarian Universalist ministry.

A community minister is an ordained minister whose work extends both within the congregation and beyond it into the wider community. Unlike a settled minister, a community minister is not called to serve a single congregation full-time. Instead, their ministry may include a combination of congregational service and work in the broader world, such as pastoral care, social justice, interfaith collaboration, teaching, counseling, and community outreach.

In Reverend Cheryl’s case, this model reflects the ministry she is already offering—serving our congregation while also bringing Unitarian Universalist values and presence into the larger community.

Reverend Cheryl’s ordination would not change her current role, responsibilities, or contracted hours with our congregation. Rather, it would be a formal recognition of the ministry she is already offering among us and in the wider community.

In the weeks ahead, we will share more information about community ministry, the meaning of ordination, and the process leading up to a congregational vote at our Annual Meeting in June. If the congregation approves this proposal, we hope to celebrate Reverend Cheryl’s ordination this fall, ideally in September.

If you have questions about Reverend Cheryl’s ordination or about community ministry, members of the Governing Circle and Reverend Cheryl will be available after the service this Sunday to talk with you. You are also welcome to send questions at any time to GC@inuuc.org.

We are excited to begin this journey together and hope you will join us in celebrating this significant milestone in the life of Reverend Cheryl and our congregation.

The INUUC Governing Circle of Trustees
Scott Fitzgerald
Stephanie Samson
Lannie MacAndrea
Erin (Po) Popelka
Bill Morkill