Comments Read to the UUCP Congregation on Sunday, 1-24-2010

In her sermon yesterday, Sunday, January 24, 2010, my wife Rev. Kayle Rice, minister of Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse, spoke to the congregation about her decision, effective as of late spring or early summer, to resign as their minister, to move out of state from here in Moscow [pronounced with a long o], Idaho, and, at least for awhile, to leave church ministry to follow a different, yet to be explored, path with heart which will involve spirituality, art, and, like MISS RUMPHIUS, doing something to make the world more beautiful. I was the Celebrant in yesterday's church service, which included my reading some prepared comments to the congregation. This is what I said:

I've liked Moscow, the Palouse region, and this church since Kayle and
I first visited here. Among the high points of my life was when this
congregation voted to call Kayle as your minister and welcomed her and
me into this building with a rousing rendition of "Enter, Rejoice and
Come in." I have often inwardly rejoiced to have the good fortune to
experience living here. My active participation in this church and in
the Moscow community has in part been an expression of that admiration
and appreciation of all that makes Moscow and the UUCP in so many ways
wonderful.

I had expected to—and would have been content to—live here for several
more years, or even until Kayle reaches retirement age. From the start
I have been conscious of the inevitability that our stay here—whether
for four, six, twelve, or however many years—would be temporary and
that my responsibility would be, when we did leave, to leave with all
of the projects in which I've been closely involved in good shape and
in good hands.

Well before summer comes I'd like to see several more pages added to
the website, such as Music and Young Adult; see the addition of
drop-down menus, and see one or two persons added to the Web Group, to take over text updating, photos uploading, and calendar updating. And
I'd like to see one or two persons added to the Library Group, to help
carry forward its project of having a well stocked, well organized,
and convenient to use church library. That project has come a long
ways, with more yet to do. In the past several years the
Communications Committee has progressed intermittently by fits and
starts and has often stalled. I'd like to see it soon have at least
three enthused members, one its leader, and I'd like to see the UUCP
logo finally in ubiquitous use. And I hope to see enthused
participation in the Social Action Committee increased even more.

Because they are vital to putting into practice our principles of
encouragement to spiritual growth and a free and responsible search
for truth and meaning, I'd like to see adult RE programs continue to
develop, including getting the new spirituality books discussion group
started.

And I'd like to see the projects in process that were mentioned by
Kayle brought to fruition.

I myself alone can do little to realize those intentions. I can have
no part in achieving some of them, aside from cheering, and my need to
focus on getting ready to move limits how much I can help achieve
others of them, but I will do my part as I am able, so that I can
leave knowing I did my best to leave the town and the church slightly
even better places than when they welcomed Kayle and me.

While I would be content to stay, I am content to leave, because I
know from experience that there are other wonderful towns and other
wonderful UU churches and that what we do here is part of a large and
deep movement. Kayle must do what her spirit says do, go where her
path leads. To live with her is my delight. Luckily for me, I can be a
writer anywhere.

My wish is that the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse will
continue to be a happening, vibrant church for many generations, a
beacon for the principles which we affirm.