I’ve often mentioned the Five Focus Points of Transitional Ministry as we go about our shared work at QUUF – touchstones for our good but often demanding work.

As we begin our eighth month together (total virtual plus in-person) let’s review a bit, Here they are again in order:

• Heritage: Reviewing how the Congregation has been shaped and formed, encouraging and hearing all the stories about the Congregation’s past, as the foundation upon with the present rests; and embracing the rich variety that makes up the congregation.
• Leadership: Reviewing the membership needs and it’s ways of organizing and developing new and effective leadership; providing opportunity for individuals and the Congregational organization to examine the types of leadership needed for new leaders to emerge, and for seasoned leaders to recommit or refocus their gifts.
• Mission: Defining and redefining sense of purpose and direction; clarifying the faith community’s identity and core values; working to develop, update and revitalize mission and vision statements; and reviewing strategic and tactical plans including stewardship and the financial health of the congregation.
• Connections: Discovering and revitalizing all the Association, interfaith and community relationships a congregation builds outside of itself; and reassessing old links and considering new ones.
• Future: Developing congregational and pastoral profiles that position the Congregation for the next ministry, including a healthy and honest assessment of the other Focus Points so that the Congregation can turn it’s energy toward productive decision-making in the future.

Quite the list, friends. Trust me when I say your leaders, staff and I are never bored.

But too often overlooked during an interim period are the “Guiding Documents” – the many bylaws, policies, covenant, procedures and guidelines that help congregations 1. focus their resources; 2. assign who is responsible for what, and 3. decide how they want to be together along the way.

The old saying about Guiding Documents is true: They’re boring and irrelevant…right up until the moment you hit a snag, and thank the stars somebody already took the time to think things through.

So this is a plug for going to the congregation’s website (here at quuf.org) and taking a look at the documents that help keep QUUF on track. Start with the tabs: “About QUUF”, “Councils” and “Facility Use.” From there move on to programming for children, youth and adults. And don’t forget the information for newcomers.

These documents are not exactly a preface to your summer beach reading. Not a page-turner for most of us. But underneath all our interim work are the core practices for how QUUF delivers on it’s stated vision (adopted June 8, 2025): “A courageously inclusive, multigenerational, spiritual community in a joyfully interconnected world.”

Have a look, friends. This is the perfect time to get to know QUUF a little better.