The message(s) for this month…

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  Dear Ones, 

  First of all: Happy Pride!

  I’m spending a lot of time reflecting on our shared ministry these days, as I get ready for its close.  I’m honored and grateful for the time I’ve served this congregation – you all have been a huge part of making me the minister I am, and I’ll carry your stories and all I’ve learned here with me.

  It feels a little strange to be considering the theme of “flourishing together” during my last month as your minister.  As I was filling in a form for my exit interview with the UUA, I remembered some of the things we’ve created during our 12 years of shared ministry, that feel fitting to share as part of this theme: worship that seeks to engage people of all ages and abilities, a collaborative planning process for that worship, a Caring Tree that assists the minister with pastoral care, a mission statement that reflects our values, an affiliation with a fabulous community minister, an ever-widening circle of welcome and compassion, a measure of financial strength, and tech processes and volunteers to handle what’s become our “new normal way” of meeting and worshipping.  I’m proud of these things we’ve done together, that have supported our mutual flourishing!  And I want to ask you – what parts of our shared ministry have you been participating in, that you’re proud of?

  You’ll get to take all of these accomplishments, and more, forward into the next phase of your ministry.  With your interim minister, you’ll discover what you need to continue to flourish together, and how to find and create what you need, for now and for the time to come.  And I’ll get to take all of these accomplishments into my next phase, as I learn to flourish in a new shared ministry – along with all the lessons that came from the mis-steps and misconnections that have been part of our human connections.  My memories of Reeb, and of each of you, will continue to inspire me through the rest of my career and my life.  Thank you for a beautiful first ministry.

  In faith and love, Karen

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  Community Minister’s Corner
  From Rev. Bowie Kling-Garcia, Affiliated Community Minister

  

  Friends,

  I am excited to join in on the newsletter fun, now with my own columns every other month! As your Affiliated Community Minister, I have a special role with Reeb volunteering with the church while you all support my ministry in the community. In this column moving forward I would like to share with you all what I am observing in my work as a hospital chaplain, opportunities to get involved in the world, or how our faith guides us in current events. 

  In the month of June we are approaching my favorite time of year – Pride! Being a church who is welcoming and affirming of the LGBTQ+ community is such an important role that we play in our country. At the hospital, I experience queer folks who have been deeply wounded by their religious communities who didn’t accept them – and being able to share with them how to find welcoming congregations is something that I joyously do! I’m always happy to add our congregation onto the constantly growing list in our area. Recently, I had someone tearfully tell me, “I didn’t think there was a place for me.” At Reeb, we get to be that place for so many people! 

  Are there ways that you are engaging with our LGBTQ+ community this month? I will be volunteering at the “Blessed at Pridefest” booth in Milwaukee during PrideFest, offering blessings for folks who attend the festival. You have your own gifts and skills that you can add to help support this community and live out the value of love! There are also many organizations which can use our donations of time and treasure – like Trans Lifeline, The Trevor Project, and Point of Pride (to name just a few)! Join me in celebrating being our true selves, and making sure that the right to be ourselves and love freely is available for others! 

  Happy Pride!

  Rev. Bowie

  [6/3/26]