Hello QUUF members, friends and fellow travelers! I hope this – my first column in this space – finds you well.

As most of you know by now, I’m serving QUUF as your Accredited Interim Minister. This is my eleventh such ministry, and I’m as drawn to this work as when I began all those years ago. Why? Because these in-between places invite new growth, new ideas and new courage. Even new hearts. What a gift to journey with a congregation in such times.

More about this in-between phase to come. For now let me give you some idea of where I come from, and update you on some basic information about how my ministry is working for the time being. After all the traveling, my spouse Mary Bracey and I decided to settle down here in Jackson OH where I was born. I’m 69 now and we need a home base. (Note: Jackson is a small town situated in the southeastern part of the state, one of 32 counties designated as Appalachian.) We currently live in a large old house, but it’s not what you’d call a period showcase. We may or may not hold onto it as we move out your way.

Mary’s from South Carolina, and has four grown children. She works as a fulltime caregiver for two children. She’s come to be part of their family.

I’m a longtime musician, mostly acoustic guitar, harmonica, and passable vocals. Exercise and reading are important, same with our two cats Buddy and Olivia. I also serve as a very part-time hospital chaplain at a local medical center. I retired from fulltime ministry in summer 2022, but served one of our West Virgina congregations for the 2024-2025 program year. The itch to serve came back this April, so Mary and I began perusing the list of congregations, with a preference for interim openings. Two rose to the top, but QUUF just thought and felt right. (That and your Hiring Committee was exceptional.)

So the good news is we have ourselves a match – easily the most important piece of any ministry period, interim definitely withstanding. The not so good news is I have some non-life threatening health issues that need to be addressed, mostly a damaged shoulder and elbow. Your board has been gracious and creative in finding ways to accommodate me, but this timeline is not what we had in mind. Now let’s talk some details:

* I’m currently contracted at 20 virtual hours per week, with prorated ministry benefits.

* The plan is to be onsite no later than January 1, 2026. At that point I’ll join you fulltime, with a second contract for at least one calendar year.

* My time is primarily spent in the area of administration (also referred to as “ad-ministry) meaning lots of screen and phone time with your staff and lay leaders. Think Zoom meetings, one-on-one conversations, stacks of emails and a fair number of texts. The point is not to be busy with small things, but to link small things with mission.

* My off-days during the half-time period are Monday and Saturday.

* To email me use minister@quuf.org – allow for some delays as I prioritize the steady flow.

* I’ll be leading two Sunday services this month, September 14 and 21. I’ll lead one each in October, November, and December. (Your staff and lay leaders will coordinate the remaining services.)

* Keep in mind interim ministry is a specialized, sometimes intense version. We come to observe, listen then offer proven ideas and practices to help our people be clearer and stronger, whatever their plans for the longer run. We are in many way “informed strangers” come to be your partners and coaches.

Enough details for now! Let me say again how glad I am to have found you all. Hang in with all this, and thanks for your patience.

Be well all.