After catching a head cold over Thanksgiving from an otherwise cherubic two-year-old, I awoke at 2am on the first Sunday in December feeling rather unwell. “Oh no!” I thought, “what terrible timing!” It was to be a big day — the Board and the Community Team were meeting together for two hours after the service. The sanctuary had just been rearranged with the labyrinth in the middle, so there were lots of details to tweak. Most importantly, our beloved Michael Oldfather had passed away early the previous morning. I needed to find a place to set up the memorial candle and I wanted to be physically present for everybody who would be grieving his loss. But as the hours wore on, it became clear I was in no shape to attend in person. I started my morning bleary, hoping to hold together well enough for Zoom worship. To my surprise, shortly after I logged on for the service, Kathleen Oldfather did too. I realized I was in exactly the right spot — which wouldn’t have happened if I’d felt 100%. Sage and Dick and Rob and Cosette, among others, held the physical space beautifully. By the end of virtual coffee hour, nourished by the rich community of care that gathered in little square videos around Kathleen, I felt much better myself. Sometimes I’m really glad I’m not in charge.

This is one of several rehearsals we’ve had in the lead up to my sabbatical. I’ve done so much over the past four years to organize Sunday mornings, facilitate meetings, and supervise various projects. Sometimes it really feels like I’m in charge. But I’m not. There is a much greater intelligence at work — maybe something mystical, but definitely embodied by the membership of this congregation. I could not be more confident in you all to maintain the activities and the spirit of our community while I’m away. I look forward to hearing about everything you’ve learned and all that you’ve done when I return in April.

 

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Pastor Isabel will be out of contact with the congregation for their sabbatical, January-March 2026. During this time of rest and renewal, congregation members are asked to refrain from reaching out to Isabel and instead work with other leadership. The Board, Community Team, and Core Staff have been preparing for months. The Worship Team, Pastoral Team, and Caring Team are prepared to cover many areas of ministry.

Sunday Services
Before departing, Pastor Isabel will have approved services January through March. The Congregation is responsible for leading them. The Worship Team will ensure we have a volunteer convener for each Sunday. A Board member will always be present to light the chalice, read gratitudes, and troubleshoot.

Care
Our Caring Team (Linda Johnson, Kaidy Li Smith, Cathy Hedge, and Parker Poulos) is available at caringteam@uufm.net for members needing meals or other practical support. Our new Pastoral Team (Linda Johnson, Emily Fraser, Sage Phipps-Hinkle) is available with listening ears and caring hearts to help hold your spiritual and emotional struggles or celebrations. Conversations with Pastoral Team members are strictly private, though they may talk with each other or a UU minister (Pastor Isabel has left a list of on-call pastors) if a particularly challenging or time-sensitive issue arises. Confidentiality within those bounds will always be observed unless someone is in danger. Contact the Pastoral Team by calling (785) 537-2349 option 2 or writing to pastoralteam@uufm.net.

Memorial services
We hope that everyone will remain healthy and well. However, if it happens that we lose a member of the congregation, another pastor will step in — Pastor Caela, Pastor Melissa, or Rev. Nori (the UU minister in Lawrence). Our Office and Communications Coordinator Hannah, Pastoral Team, and Caring Team will work together with the pastor to schedule a memorial service, care for the family, and plan the reception. If a non-member asks to hold a memorial service here, Hannah will find an officiant and coordinate. 

Leadership
Pastor Isabel typically facilitates Community Team meetings and represents the Community Team on the Board. In their absence, the Community Team will select a substitute facilitator each month and Emily Fraser will represent the Community Team as a consenting member of the Board for most decisions. The Board will function as normal, postponing some decisions for Isabel’s return.

Administration
In lieu of individual weekly supervision meetings with Pastor Isabel and a monthly Core Staff meeting, Office and Communications Coordinator Hannah, Director of Religious Education Emily, and Music Director Jeff will hold weekly Core Staff meetings. Board Chair Mac Benavides will attend once a month and will approve staff timesheets and time off.

Chalice Circles
As one of the coordinators, DRE Emily Fraser will check in with circles to make sure they have what they need. Emily will also facilitate the Chalice Web at Ingatherings to support folks preparing to facilitate their chalice circles, curious about joining a chalice circle, or seeking companionship to read through the small group packet.

What else?
Our Board Chair Mac Benavides is available at chair@uufm.net. He and the rest of the Exec Team (Sage Phipps-Hinkle and Dick Beeman) also have connections with UUA regional staff and other ministers if the congregation needs further support.

The congregation is well-situated to thrive during this time. A few balls will probably be dropped and lessons will be learned. Pastor Isabel is excited to come back and hear how it went!