Dear friends,
We’ve come to the end of my time at the helm of the ship. I’m satisfied that we’ve not only maintained our heading and speed, but we’ve also begun to look to new stars that will guide Union Church into the future as Rev. Kent returns from his sabbatical.
I’m so, so grateful for the way that this community demonstrates, day in and day out, what church at its best can be. I have had the privilege of teaching you, of praying with you, and doing church work with you—both the fun, exciting kind and the boring “this meeting could have been an email!” kind. Everywhere I’ve looked there’s been another surprising pocket of grace where I least expect it to be.
I suppose being a highly improbable grace place is what Union is all about, after all. And I thank God for you, because you define yourselves not by what you’re against, but by what you’re for, and you are for grace. I hope y’all never take that for granted.
As I’ve said several times over the past month during our successful stewardship campaign, I believe in Union, and I believe in you. I love you, deeply. Please know that you have been a balm and a boon to me in the last four months. Thank you for letting me hold your stories as you have held mine.
Many of you have asked what my next step is. The truth is that I have no idea! But for right now, I’ll be in Lexington, teaching Latin online, producing my podcast, and returning to my consulting practice full-time. My two books will be published over the next few months, too, so getting through the marketing for those will occupy a lot of my time as well. I also plan to do a bit of traveling in November to see dear friends in Oklahoma City and to spend Thanksgiving with Michael and Lucy in Virginia with my folks.
In terms of church, I plan to return to the worshiping congregation at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Lexington until such a time as I end up in another UCC call, if God so calls me. (To be fair, I feel like Union has ruined me for other church jobs, because y’all have set a high bar in terms of culture and fit.)
Moving forward, I’m setting the boundary of “therapist rules.” Following November 3rd, at least for four months, I will not be initiating contact with any of you. If you initiate contact, I’ll acknowledge it. If you run into me in public, you can say hi! I won’t ignore you, but I won’t initiate. I will also not interact with those of you with whom I’m connected on social media (not “unfriend”—what a verb!—I just mean that I’ll remove your posts from my news feeds).
If you do want to reach out, I would encourage you to do so only via handwritten card or letter! Those are deeply meaningful to me. You may send them to me at 300 Quinton Ct #22303, Lexington, KY 40509.
This boundary is especially important during the first four months of Rev. Kent’s return to the helm, so that you can re-adjust to his presence and leadership. Please honor the boundary, and in so doing honor him and me.
(And, so help me God, if anyone says to Rev. Kent, “well, Rev. Nate never did it that way,” I’ll come down there and shake you 😉)
I love you all, and I’m beside myself with gratitude. I know that you return to the capable hands of Rev. Kent’s leadership, and I trust that your voyage to God’s future of justice and joy will continue full speed ahead.
Peace and all good,
Rev. Nate
Photos of October 27 worship service by Rachael White
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