Dear Members and Friends of UUWestport —
This is my last Minister’s Message to you, as my last day with you will be this Sunday, July 12. I hope you can make it to 10:00 AM Sunday Service. There will be some special moments as we mark this transition together. Special thanks to the members of Mending the Sacred Hoop for providing rituals for us as we part ways.
It’s humbling that there are a number of things I wanted to get done that I won’t complete before I leave. I will make my peace with that and count it as a reminder that no one leaves this life with everything checked off their to-do list.
Here are some parting notes that might be helpful…
Try My Jesus: I have an about 10 copies of Try My Jesus left for anyone who wants to purchase a signed copy. They are $18.00 each. To reserve a copy, you can pay using CashApp ($trymyjesus) or Venmo (Carlton-Smith-52) before noon on Saturday, July 11. I will have the reserved copies available for pickup Sunday morning before and after service. Please indicate in the memo line to whom the book should be signed, or send me an email to that effect. No books will be available for sale Sunday, but you can purchase a copy anywhere books are sold.
Ministerial Coverage mid-July through mid-August: I will be on vacation from July 13 to August 14, when my tenure ends. Rev. Terri’s tenure begins August 15. While I’m on vacation, the Pastoral Care Associates will continue their excellent ministry of listening and presence. If you have a pastoral care need, you can leave a confidential voice message at 203-227-7205 x19 and someone will return your call. For rites of passage (memorial services, child dedications, and weddings) in that timeframe, Minister Emerit Rev. Ed. Thompson will be available. You can reach him directly via email. I will only return from vacation if there is a catastrophic event, a severe institutional crisis, or a widespread tragedy within the congregation.
What’s Next: If you happen to be in or near Boston Sunday, July 19, I will give the sermon at King’s Chapel that morning at 11:00 AM. I have travels starting late in July that will have me alighting in diverse cities west of the Mississippi, including time in my home state of Mississippi. If all goes according to plan, I will arrive in Mexico before the end of September. I will explore different cities south of the border before I commit to any one of them. I’m continuing to work with Shared Vision Consulting as a Partner Consultant, supporting organizations with retreat facilitation, covenanting, fundraising, leadership transitions, and conflict transformation.
The “Minimal Contact” Guideline: Just as Rev. Alan’s thorough departure from the life of UUWestport made room for my arrival, I will likewise be scarce during Rev. Terri’s ministry. If you see me on social media, please say hello. If you’re coming down to Mexico, it would be great to see you if we happen to be in the same city at the same time. I won’t be available for pastoral care or any of the other roles Rev. Terri will fill as your new Senior Minister. While I will be interested to hear news from the congregation, I won’t have much to say about it. Know that you all are always in my heart and I’m cheering for you all the way.
It’s been my delight to have been with you these past 11 months. What a wonderful conclusion to my ministerial career since being ordained 31 years ago.
Keep letting love lead you.
With appreciation,
Rev. Carlton
