From the Heart of the Minister:
Why I Am A Minister
At the end of each year, I like to look back on the year past and then look forward. Resolutions may seem clichéd these days, but I find them useful. If nothing else, they remind me of and ground me in why I became—and continue as—a Unitarian Universalist (UU) minister.
When my family was young, we were looking for a religious home that was accepting of an interfaith and interracial family. I found that in UU. My engagement with UU congregations in New York City and Orlando, Florida made me think deeply about and helped shape my values. Through UU I deepened my understanding and practice of my Jewish and Buddhist traditions. My experiences in UU gave me opportunities to grow my spiritual and religious life in ways that were meaningful to me and helped me grow as a human being.
I became a minister because I wanted to share those transformational experiences with as many other people as possible. In my 15 years of ministry, it has always been my goal to empower people to find meaning in their lives in ways that are meaningful to them, so they can flourish as human beings at whatever stage of life they are in. That goal still holds true for me today.
Our Journey Together
My ministry and life in general is a journey. Not everything works on the timeline or in the manner we imagine when we start. The important thing is to keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep showing up for each other—and that's exactly what we've been doing together.
As I reach the midpoint of my fourth year in Sarasota, we have seen numerous changes. We have rebuilt our staff after some retirements and transitions. We are on the road to rebuilding our membership from the devastation of COVID. We have significantly increased our activity in social justice in the community. We have continued to add programs and events that are meaningful to our members and the larger community.
This past year has been particularly challenging. Between the political challenges here in Florida and the United States, and the illnesses, deaths, and relocations of numerous long-term members, the committees, staff, and I are stretched thin. One member kindly suggested I might consider doing less. I appreciate that concern, and I've pondered it. But it's just not in my nature to slow down. If I am doing something, I am always going to give it 100%. There is a time for balance, but when our community needs us most, it's time for action to meet the moment we are in. It is actually a time to do more.
Meeting the Moment
I believe we are at a crossroads now, both for our country and our congregation. The congregation continues to grow, which is wonderful. However, our staff and volunteer structure was built for a smaller, less active congregation. If nothing changes, some things will fall through the cracks.
In order to live out our mission—"Connecting in loving community to nurture the spirit and help heal our world"—we need each of you to show up. Show up to welcome people. Show up by inviting people you know. Show up to volunteer. Show up in our upcoming pledge drive.
The Sarasota community needs our progressive religious voice to be heard far and wide. Your fellow members need you in order to connect in loving community. I know many of you are already giving generously of your time, energy, and resources, and I am deeply grateful. What I'm asking is for all of us—myself included—to dig a little deeper in this pivotal moment.
Through all of our experiences together, I hope we empower each other to find meaning in our lives in ways that are meaningful to us, so we and others can flourish as human beings at whatever stage of life we are in. We need each other. Sarasota needs us. Unitarian Universalism needs us.
Creating meaning in the world is why I am a minister. It is an honor to serve as your minister and share this journey with the Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota. Let us see what the year ahead brings as we all continue our journey together. Let us meet the moment we are in with all that we have.
With a grateful heart,
Rev. Jay
At the end of each year, I like to look back on the year past and then look forward. Resolutions may seem clichéd these days, but I find them useful. If nothing else, they remind me of and ground me in why I became—and continue as—a Unitarian Universalist (UU) minister.
When my family was young, we were looking for a religious home that was accepting of an interfaith and interracial family. I found that in UU. My engagement with UU congregations in New York City and Orlando, Florida made me think deeply about and helped shape my values. Through UU I deepened my understanding and practice of my Jewish and Buddhist traditions. My experiences in UU gave me opportunities to grow my spiritual and religious life in ways that were meaningful to me and helped me grow as a human being.
I became a minister because I wanted to share those transformational experiences with as many other people as possible. In my 15 years of ministry, it has always been my goal to empower people to find meaning in their lives in ways that are meaningful to them, so they can flourish as human beings at whatever stage of life they are in. That goal still holds true for me today.
Our Journey Together
My ministry and life in general is a journey. Not everything works on the timeline or in the manner we imagine when we start. The important thing is to keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep showing up for each other—and that's exactly what we've been doing together.
As I reach the midpoint of my fourth year in Sarasota, we have seen numerous changes. We have rebuilt our staff after some retirements and transitions. We are on the road to rebuilding our membership from the devastation of COVID. We have significantly increased our activity in social justice in the community. We have continued to add programs and events that are meaningful to our members and the larger community.
This past year has been particularly challenging. Between the political challenges here in Florida and the United States, and the illnesses, deaths, and relocations of numerous long-term members, the committees, staff, and I are stretched thin. One member kindly suggested I might consider doing less. I appreciate that concern, and I've pondered it. But it's just not in my nature to slow down. If I am doing something, I am always going to give it 100%. There is a time for balance, but when our community needs us most, it's time for action to meet the moment we are in. It is actually a time to do more.
Meeting the Moment
I believe we are at a crossroads now, both for our country and our congregation. The congregation continues to grow, which is wonderful. However, our staff and volunteer structure was built for a smaller, less active congregation. If nothing changes, some things will fall through the cracks.
In order to live out our mission—"Connecting in loving community to nurture the spirit and help heal our world"—we need each of you to show up. Show up to welcome people. Show up by inviting people you know. Show up to volunteer. Show up in our upcoming pledge drive.
The Sarasota community needs our progressive religious voice to be heard far and wide. Your fellow members need you in order to connect in loving community. I know many of you are already giving generously of your time, energy, and resources, and I am deeply grateful. What I'm asking is for all of us—myself included—to dig a little deeper in this pivotal moment.
Through all of our experiences together, I hope we empower each other to find meaning in our lives in ways that are meaningful to us, so we and others can flourish as human beings at whatever stage of life we are in. We need each other. Sarasota needs us. Unitarian Universalism needs us.
Creating meaning in the world is why I am a minister. It is an honor to serve as your minister and share this journey with the Unitarian Universalists of Sarasota. Let us see what the year ahead brings as we all continue our journey together. Let us meet the moment we are in with all that we have.
With a grateful heart,
Rev. Jay
