Over the last few weeks, I have shared updates about our staff. It has been tough to learn that our long time Director of Music, Saunder Choi, is moving on. He will be Director of Music at Neighborhood UU Church in Pasadanea, a great opportunity for him. We got to celebrate Saunder during the service and reception on July 19th. We will miss Saunder and wish him well at his next endeavor!
Also, we learned that Jessica TenHave-Place, our Director of Religious Education, has resigned. Jessica had been on leave in July due to illness and has decided that her future is not with us. This departure really hurts. Jessica had only been with two years. But in that short time, we’ve witnessed her amazing gifts, especially in connecting with our kids. Several kids have mentioned to me that they miss Jessica. We all will miss Jessica.
While it’s only been a few weeks that we’ve learned of these transitions, we are already moving forward. Our accompanist, Ryan Humphrey, is serving as interim DOM — thanks, Ryan! We’ve begun the search for a permanent Director of Music. We posted an ad and are soliciting recommendations from our network. [PT: A link to the Employment Opportunity is on our home page.] A search committee, comprised of the minister, a board member, and representatives from the music committee/choir, has been formed. They will soon be reviewing applications and interviewing. We are fortunate to be in LA where there are amazing music professionals and we’re confident that we will find someone quickly.
While Jessica was away, church member, Maddie Van Beek, has served as interim Coordinator of RE, and she’ll serve until the end of September. Currently we’re searching for another interim Coordinator of RE to replace Maddie. Then we will start the search process for a permanent Director of Religious Education. Our search process will be thoughtful and deliberate since the pool of DREs is small and we want to identify the right person for us.
We have been waiting for many months to move into the next phase of ministry at UUSM. We welcome Rev. Diana Smith as our settled minister in August! She will be in the pulpit on August 16 and 30 so please join us on those Sundays. We will have a welcome service and reception on In-gathering Sunday on September 13. This will mark the official beginning of our church year with Rev. Diana.
We appreciate that Rev Diana is joining us just in time to help with the searches for Directors of Music and Religious Education. She will serve on the search committees for these searches and help lead us in selecting the right persons for our community. Still we understand where this is a tough way to start a new ministry. So thank you, Rev. Diana, for the gifts that you offer us at this time of transitions!