From Greg Wigle, moderator: A special congregational meeting will be held immediately following the church service on Sunday, April 2, 2006. The purpose of this meeting is to vote to call a new settled minister to our pulpit. Don't forget that time jumps forward an hour this weekend!
From Elizabeth Crawford, chair: On behalf of the Ministerial Search Committee, it is my great pleasure to recommend Reverend Lillie Henley as candidate for settled minister of UNMC. We believe Rev. Henley wil bring to our church the vision, warmth and grace to lead our congregation forward towards a lively and sustainable ministry.
Although she felt called to the ministry beginning at a young age, Rev. Henley worked in the corporate sector for many years prior to obtaining her Master of Divinity at Meadville Lombard Theological School in 1998. Since that time, she has served 3 UU congregations in interim and settled ministries, most recently Westside Unitarian Church in Ft. Worth, Texas. As Rev. Henley's experience and service as a minister deepened, she found increasingly that she wished to serve a Christian congregation.
Rev. Henley brings many strengths to ministry at UNMC. She has a strong record of building growth in the communities she has served, including in center-city urgan settings. She is committed to ministry for children and families and will bring energy, experience and backing to our religious education programs. Pastoral care is another area of special ability -- the committee believes that her caring for and warmth towards individuals and families will make her an exceptional resource in this important area.
On behalf of our entire committee, I would like to thank all of you for your participation, advice and prayers throughout the long and important process that has led us to propose Rev. Henley to you as candidate for minister of UNMC.