Spirituall Speaking: Deeper Roots

Recently, driving from Salisbury to Raleigh, I got the chance to encounter a post-ice storm landscape in North Carolina. All along I-85 and up through I-40 toward Raleigh, the pine trees were down. Some trees were split right in half, but many were totally uprooted. It was a graveyard of pine trees as they flanked the highway. Tree after tree, roots up from the earth, were taken out by water and 28-degree weather.

I was curious how so many pine trees had fallen.

Turns out, the answer was simple. The ground had been saturated before the freeze, making it easier for the roots to loosen. But what’s more, the roots of pine trees aren’t as deep as other trees.

Roots matter. Knowing your roots, knowing their depth. Just looking at a tree on your property doesn’t tell you a whole lot about its roots. You have to know what kind of tree it is, how old it is, its health, and the earth in which it’s grounded.

Just as looking at the folks who sit beside us every Sunday, tells us virtually nothing about their joys, sorrows, and what grounds them in the midst of life. Do they have deep roots, or are they barely holding on against the wind—like a pine tree in saturated earth?

As an adult who was adopted as a child, I know the dangers of assuming our genealogical or genetic roots provide grounding. I’ve never known what it is to trace my lineage back generations or to see my face shape reflected in a great-aunt. This, for me, has not been a point of concern, as I know my roots hold to a spiritual lineage rather than a genetic one.

There are teachers, loved ones, and friends who literally touched my life with their presence. They gave me the great writers and sages from all ages, who form my roots.

This month, as we consider our roots, what grounds us, we invite you to reflect on “Whose are you?” In other words, “to whom do you belong in the universe and from what sources does your story spring?”

Our roots nourish us in times of great impasses, when the way is unclear or when we are struggling with living a life in right relationship with others and the earth. As we so often sing in Spirit of Life, written by Carolyn McDade, “roots hold me close, wings set me free.”

So may it be for us all as we walk this path together.

In faith, 

Rev. Robin

Rev. Robin’s Leave

Spring is fast approaching, and so is my parental leave. At their March meeting, the Board of Trustees reviewed and approved my proposed leave plan. During leave, Sam Treadaway and Rev. Justin will be able to contact me in the event of an emergency. I feel grateful knowing that the shared ministry of our congregation will be held in their capable hands with the support and insight of your Board of Trustees, professional staff, and leaders. And I feel even more grateful to serve a congregation who values families and makes it possible for our staff to care for our families. Thank you.

Of course, the babies may have other plans, but for now here is how your leadership imagines this summer unfolding…

If the case of bed rest should arise, during bed rest Rev. Robin will maintain email and phone contact. She will prepare Sunday services, but services will be delivered by Rev. Justin or by one of the co-chairs of the Religious Services Council. Pastoral care appointments will only be held by phone and all urgent in-person pastoral care will be deferred to Rev. Justin and the pastoral care associates. All weddings have back-up ministers currently scheduled should Rev. Robin be unable to do so. Rev. Robin will join the Religious Services Council, Vision 20/20, Board of Trustees, Adult Religious Education Team, Shared Ministry Team, Social Justice Council, Interweave, staff meetings, individual staff supervision and ADORE (A Discussion on Race and Ethnicity) teams via teleconference during bed rest.

Planned parental leave begins effective July 1^st, 2014 until August 31^st, 2014. During parental leave, Rev. Robin will be relieved of all Sunday services responsibilities, committee and council work, leadership development, pastoral responsibilities, staff supervision, rites of passage, email/phone communication, and leadership consulting.

While she is on leave, responsibilities will be allocated in the following ways:

Board of Trustees (namely Sam Treadaway as President):

1. Makes day-to-day decisions about enforcing policies, and ensure conflicts/concerns are addressed and/or referred to the Healthy Congregations Team.
2. Prepares chalice lighting and reading for Board meetings.
3. Plans August Leadership Development meeting.
4. Touches base with all committees and councils within the Shared Ministry Team in early August.

Rev. Justin (Minister of Care and Education):

1. Assumes all pastoral care responsibilities and delegates to Congregational Care Council or pastoral care associates as he determines appropriate.
2. Preaches from June 29^th- August 3^rd
3. Supervises staff (individually meets with all staff once in July and holds a staff meeting in August).
4. Makes any day-to-day decisions to facilitate the health of our shared ministry team.

Religious Services Council:

1. Coordinates summer services for August 10^th-31^st by working with pre-arranged guest speakers .

Deb Davelka (Office Administrator):

1. Makes decisions regarding rental contracts, changes to rental contracts and negotiations with renter relationships with Rev. Justin’s signature.
2. Makes all final decisions on newsletter, Order of Service announcements and congregational communication (except what is requested by Sam Treadaway on behalf of the Board of Trustees).

On September 1^st, Rev. Robin will return part-time until October 1^st when she resumes full duties and full-time. During September 1^st-October 1^st, Rev. Robin will:

1. Lead worship on Sundays.
2. Be available for urgent pastoral care needs.
3. Attend to rites of passage.
4. Attend Board of Trustees meetings, Shared Ministry Team, Religious Services Council, ADORE Team and Healthy Congregations Team (as applicable) meetings.
5. Lead staff meetings and supervise individual staff members.

Piedmont Music Ministry

Piedmont UU Church (University Gathering AND Salisbury Gathering) is a singing, swinging congregation full of gifted musicians and attuned listeners. Music lies at the heart of our worship services and is one of the strong community-building forces in the life of the congregation. Many members find ways to express their creativity through a wide range of performing opportunities. Diverse, eclectic, and always energetic, our program encompasses classical, jazz, folk, rock, blues, and gospel…just to name a few!

On any given Sunday, you might walk into our sanctuary to hear a classical piano piece, a gospel shout, spirituals, the Piedmonters (bluegrass and folk), The Healing Drum Circle, the Early Music Consort (EMC2) or the shimmering sound of handchimes. We believe in listening with open ears and open hearts to the power of the divine which comes to us through music, and we believe in the unique power of music to heal individuals and bring communities together.

If you are interested in participating in any way (including a supporting role such as librarian, database volunteer, setup coordinator, PR, and more) please contact Wally Kleucker at University Gathering (wally@puuc.org) or Bob Voelker at Salisbury Gathering (ravoelker@windstream.net).

All the best,

Wally Kleucker
Music Director