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Post by Vicki L. Hall on Dec 19, 2008 18:14:09 GMT -5
December 19, 2008 Fieldwork for the Interim Ministry Network Vicki L. Hall
Holiday Greetings Friends!
First – good news, I’m back and with a sincere apology for my persistent absence of the last couple of months. With my vacation, a one-month collapse of my computer keyboard that Mac was able to resurrect, too much traveling from too much work, and a more permanent move to TN from PA, my life has been filled with too much chaos. At first, even with a keyboard missing four essential keys, I tried to keep up with a few of you who were moving full-steam ahead, but that effort soon collapsed. In any event, I’m back, very interested in assisting those of you who are ready to wrap things up or get started with the turn of the year, and prepared with a new tool that will help that happen.
Second, even though I’m the first to tout the value of completing fieldwork with a f2f meeting, these days, for a whole host of reasons, ranging from geographic considerations to monetary realities, I’m capitulating to these pressures and ready to move to teleconferencing. This means that once you’ve wrapped up your online bibliography, field work project, and ILE – posting the first two to the Message Board and reviewing the ILE with me through email – you will complete your ILE review with myself and at least one other participant via teleconferencing, with the services of Copper Conferencing in a one-hour conversation. This service is easy to use. Each time at least two of you are ready I’ll email you a number to call, along with a Conference Call # that you’ll key in from your phone, allowing you to join the conversation. If for some reason we might need it, we’ll also have the capacity to send and receive PowerPoint slides during the conversation.
Third, if you’ve sent me progress on your FW, either through email or the Message Board, you’ll be hearing from me, via email, either today or tomorrow. I hope it might be possible for a few of you to wrap up your work in January.
Finally, whether you’re celebrating Advent/Christmas or Hanukah, may your holidays be blessed with the merciful presence of God.
Peace, Vicki
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Post by revdeb on Jan 8, 2009 15:52:11 GMT -5
Here's back to you, Vicki - and to all the colleagues from the August 2008 Connecticutt 5-day gathering! Blessings of light, love, laughter in these dazzling star days of Epiphany. I pray you are all 'sparkling' on in your various settings and that life is very, very good.
1. After this update from you, Vicki, I am now inspired to get complete, so-to-speak. So my commitment is that I will contemplate the next steps ---project, bibliography, etc. and get an initial process set up for myself by next Friday, January 16, 2009. I'll send that on to you.
2. My life shifts have included the weddings of both my children, one September 6, 2008 and one this past weekend - January 3, 2009. Such joy, gratitude, and pride to watch both of these beings choose really perfect life partners for themselves ...it's all rather baffling and humbling at the same time. In the midst of these family shifts was the call to serve as Intentional Interim at Georgetown, MA. So after three months, I am in the midst of sharing a 105 day 'annual report', beginning our first congregational 'reunion' (Back for the Future, Now!) on congregational identity Jan. 18, facilitating a church leadership 'telling our story/God's story' conversation this coming Monday, welcoming three elder 'queens' for our celebration of Epiphany this Sunday, and totally enjoying my apartment 'hermitage' in this old white, green-shuttered 1750 age home. (I get to climb steep stairs both at home and at church - I'd forgotten how steep New England steps can be!)
3. The grace and spirit of church setting are awesome still - with great challenges ahead, yet difficult conversations being had in the midst of staying connected, respectful, clear, and even appropriately humorous.
One of the most intricate dances we are engaged in is what I am calling 'Dancing Hats' - a process of discernment about how to handle the 'conflicts of interest' that exist with all but two staff being members of the congregation - organist, choir director, sexton, and secretary - all members/all leaders. The new CE Director and I are non-members.
Issues include Choir Director being Finance Committee Chair and Organist being Clerk, both for many years...Got the Cabinet (Church Council) to explore a Personnel Committee (meeting this week for the first time), had initial discussions with staff as to consider how they might choose which they were 'called' to if asked to choose, Nominating handling the 'shock' of never dealing with 'conflict of interest' while beginning to get the fuzziness of boundaries, and the Interim Team is alert to all of this while focussing on the 'reunions'.
Am walking ahead affirming that with no by-laws addressing these kind of personnel/leadership issues, and no Personnel Policies, we must walk softly and carefully while simultaneously being clear that this is a high priority to address and adjust during this interim period. So far, so good. The first lap will be completed in decisions of Nominating and Annual Meeting by Feb. 1.
Anyone with resources around 'conflict of interest' and managing the transition from 'no awareness' to 'beginning practice' of said, PLEASE send along to me. I am very open at this point having talked with quite a few colleagues yet very few written resources. Thank you kindly.
4. Would love to hear from you all at either <revdeb@georgetowncongregational.org> or <deborahl.adams@yahoo.com>
Enjoy these days. Star blessings surround & uphold you.
Deborah L. Adams
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Post by Vicki L. Hall on Jan 19, 2009 12:26:59 GMT -5
Deborah, it's great to hear from you and it certainly sounds as if you have more than enough material for a great field work experience! BTW - your self-imposed deadline has come and gone! Peace, Vicki
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Post by clifford on Jan 22, 2009 13:58:51 GMT -5
Hi to everybody,
This is Cliff Price. I'm ready to keep going with my next step after having my bibliography approved.
Thanks,
Cliff
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Post by bblock on Jan 28, 2009 15:20:44 GMT -5
Greetings to all of you and especially glad for you Vicki that maybe things can settle down a bit. Since my bibliography has also been approved, I'm anxious to continue with the process. With the possibility of receiving my second interim assignment, things could be very hecktic for awhile, but I'm looking forward to the challange. God's Blessings to all, Brent Block
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Post by Vicki L. Hall on Jan 28, 2009 15:39:00 GMT -5
It's great to have you all back and again I can't emphasize enough that this does not have to be an arduous process - we can get you done very quickly.
Peace, Vicki
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Post by kmom09 on Apr 22, 2009 19:59:15 GMT -5
Hi Viki! I don't know how fast I will be able to move but just like the tortoise, I will arrive at the ending line. Much chaos in my life with two moves, new interim call, almost being crucified with Christ on Good Friday, daughter-in-law with pregnancy problems and my son(her husband) fighting two court cases and being deployed to Iraq. But, at least I found my way onto the site. So, I am hopeful that things will go smoothly. I don't quite understand one thing. Do I make my project proposal on this site or to you on another site? Karen O'Malia
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Post by Vicki L. Hall on Apr 24, 2009 11:28:22 GMT -5
Hey, Karen, welcome aboard - everything, with the exception of the ILE, is posted to this forum, named the IMN Fieldwork Board (the ILE is emailed to me).
To get started read the sticky threads on this forum, the instructions contained there will keep you focussed with the least amount of effort, which it apparently might be good for you after all you've survived recently!
Peace, Vicki
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Post by Raye Brown on Apr 28, 2009 18:18:58 GMT -5
Hello Vicki;
I am joining the message board and am acknowledging that the on-line bibliography and the field work summary are to be posted to this message board. The ILE is to be proposed and forwarded to your email address. I am looking forward to the entire field work experience.
Thank-you for your oversight.
Raye Brown Huntsville ON (for a little bit longer).
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Post by Vicki L. Hall on Apr 30, 2009 6:06:11 GMT -5
Welcome, Raye, you've got it!
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Post by Mary Moore on May 29, 2009 23:38:46 GMT -5
Hi Vicki,
I am joining this message board and letting you know that I will be posting my online bibliography and fieldwork summary to this message board when I get them done. I will be sending my proposed ILE to your e-mail address when I get it drafted.
I was glad to learn that I would be working with you for the fieldwork portion of IMN because I found your presentations at the 3-day in Syracuse, NY in December, 2007 and your presentations at our Unitarian Universalist Accredited Interim Ministers Guild meeting in Texas in April, 2008 to be very valuable for me in my interim ministry settings.
I don't know how quickly I will be finishing and posting my online bibliography and fieldwork summary because I will be moving soon from being Interim Minister at UU Church in Akron, OH to becoming Interim Minister at Unitarian Church in Davenport, IA (my first choice for a new interim position!)
I'll be finishing up my interim ministry in Akron, attending our national General Assembly for a week at the end of June out in Salt Lake City and then traveling to Davenport to find an apartment. Then there will be packing and loading U-Haul, driving, unloading and unpacking -- and start up in my new interim congregation!
I suspect I may touch base with you next week in Pittsburgh, since I will be attending the IMN Conference there.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Mary Moore Akron, OH for just a little while longer
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Post by Vicki L. Hall on Aug 3, 2009 10:57:43 GMT -5
Hi, friends, I'm sorry for my delay in getting back to you all. After the conference in Pittsburgh I sustained a major burn to my right hand from a grease fire and it took me quite awhile to heal. I also just wrapped up a gig in Boston and on my way to Harrisburg in a couple of weeks, but my plan is to reconnect with all you before that trip so be looking for messages here and via email!
Thank you for your understanding and patience!
Peace, Viki
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Post by bushworlda on Apr 20, 2010 20:27:18 GMT -5
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Post by bushworlda on Apr 20, 2010 20:29:25 GMT -5
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