In case you missed it – here is Rev. Karen’s 4/28/26 letter to JRUUC about her decision to move to another congregation:

Dear Ones,

I have something big to tell you.

I’m both sad and glad to share the news that I’ve been offered a ministry position with another congregation, and I’ve accepted it. My last day with Reeb will be June 30.

I know. Many of the things this might bring up for you, I’m feeling too. I’ve been your minister for almost 12 years, and it has been formative for me. You ordained me into the ministry, and celebrated with me when I received full fellowship with the UUA. You’ve loved me into being the minister I am today, just as I’ve loved you through your growth. Twelve years is a third of the time you’ve been a congregation, and that is huge! I’m so proud of all we’ve done together.

But I’ve felt recently that my ministry and yours are no longer aligned as well as they used to be, and it’s time to make a change. This is a chance for me to learn how to do ministry in a different setting. I’ll be working with a larger congregation that operates differently in a lot of ways, and I’m really excited about it! I will share who that is on Sunday, the same day their search team will share my name with their congregation.

And on a more personal note, it’s also time for me to leave Madison. My child has launched, I’ve experienced a succession of personal losses over the last few years, and I don’t want to continue to live in the city where I’ve experienced such deep grief. I’m not exactly unhappy – but I’m not truly happy here either, and I’m ready for a change.

And you’re ready for a change too, whether you know it or not. Many of you know that adrienne maree brown is a wisdom source for me. One of the core principles of her work is “Change is constant (be like water),” and this is the basis for a thing I often say, that we change with every new person who comes through our doors. This has been a good thing for us! What I don’t often say is that we also change, and potentially grow, every time someone leaves us, and I offer you another core principle of her work to consider as the person leaving is your long-time minister: “There is a conversation in the room that only these people at this moment can have. Find it.” My ministry is calling me elsewhere, and you need and deserve a minister who can have new conversations with you, one who is excited to get to know you and work with you.

The last thing I need to share is that UU ministers are bound by our guidelines to end contact when they leave a congregation, and to be out of touch for a minimum of two years. This is to help you to make space to build a relationship with your new minister. I’ll abide by that rule, so after June 30 I’ll be unfriending you on Facebook and taking your contact information off my devices. But we have lots of time before then to celebrate our shared ministries and to say goodbye. There is time to have the conversations we still need to have, and the conversations you want to have with me. There will be opportunities for small group conversations with me on at least a few Sunday mornings, and I welcome your calls and texts and emails and one-to-one talks. I’ll visit with anyone who would like me to. Until June 30, I’m still your minister.

As I say every Sunday morning, it’s been an honor and a privilege to serve this congregation as your minister. I’m proud of how we’ve learned to share ministry, and there will always be a tender place in my heart for you. Thank you for a beautiful first ministry!

In faith and love,

Karen