We have a lot to be grateful for at UNMC – a dedicated and caring group of members and friends, a beautiful building, a wonderful music program that enlivens our worship hall every Sunday, and a deep respect for each other’s beliefs as we untangle our individual faiths. Now we have one more thing to be grateful for: Rev. Lillie Mae Henley – our new settled minister.
Later this month Rev. Henley will pack her belongings and pint-sized dog into her car, leave her hometown of Beaumont, Texas, and drive cross-country to her new home on 16th Street. She leaves behind her close family and friends in order to lead our congregation in worship as we enter into what will surely be a period of both spiritual and literal growth.
Rev. Henley brings with her experience as a settled minister and interim minister at several churches, a Master of Divinity from Meadvile Lombard Theological School and a Bachelor of Science from Lamar University. With her confidence-inspiring demeanor, she has a gift for pastoral care and parish ministry. She also has a sharp, practical business mind and marketing background that will prove invaluable when handling the logistics of running a church. Finally, as a dedicated Universalist, Rev. Henley is plugged into the greater UUA and is dedicated to increasing UNMC’s involvement in the greater community. Likewise, she is enthusiastic about reaching out to our local
community surrounding the church.
As we prepare to move forward under Rev. Henley, it is important to recognize the strong foundation that Rev. Jim Morgan, our current interim minister, has helped us lay over the past year. His energy and willingness to stand on the corner of the 16th and S Streets and welcome passersby into our church every Sunday – rain or shine – has inspired us and challenged us to look outward to our larger community. While we wish him luck and extend our deepest gratitude to the work he has done and the love he has shared with us, we are confident that Rev. Henley will continue where he leaves off. We look forward to Rev. Henley’s first official sermon on August 16th and the coming years under her pastoral leadership.
Posted by Mark McNabb at July 18, 2006 03:10 PM