July 30, 2022
Welcome!
Many thanks to those who came out for our community meeting last week, either in person or via Zoom. I also appreciate the efforts of all who helped to give those attending in person a wonderful breakfast.
So we now find ourselves embarking on a new phase, something we at One World have done before more than once! As those who were present know, I have decided to step down as Spiritual Director effective on December 31, 2022. This was a difficult decision, made after much thought. I am, and will always be, so grateful for this community and the many wonderful experiences we’ve shared.
My departure as Spiritual Director is not the only change ahead. Covid continues to send us new curve balls on a regular basis, and the last two years of remote gatherings have opened up new options for us. We’ve learned that being online can be a wonderful and freeing thing, and it can also be challenging when we miss those face-to-face contacts. How do you want to operate going forward? More online? More in-person? Some kind of hybrid? What kind? Meet weekly as we have been, or do something different? As an independent spiritual community, you are able to make the changes that work best.
As we move into this transition phase, I’m very grateful for those individuals who volunteered to serve on our “Moving Forward Club” – those who will get a sense from the community of desired next steps and will formulate recommendations to our board. (okay – we called it a club because we didn’t want another committee!) The board liaison to this group is Michael Roussell, and I know you’ll be hearing more from Michael and the club shortly – they have met already and are moving forward with dispatch. We so appreciate their efforts.
As I said last week, every single one of you is an important stakeholder and member of this community, and we’d like to hear from each of you. We have many choices moving forward, and your voice is an important one. Please don’t hesitate to let us know what you’re thinking and feeling during this period – you’ll hear more in days and weeks to come. Let’s trust the process, and know that all will be well.
Melanie
