At the Annual Meeting last June, you selected your Search Committee to conduct the work of searching for a new, permanent Minister for First Unitarian—Ross Blythe, Leslie Davis, Margie Gonwa (chair), Evelyn Johnson, Daughon Langner, Virginia Pace, and Natasha Walker. Among them, this group possesses the skills, knowledge, and experience to conduct the many tasks involved in a search process, from surveying our congregation to gain your insights to interviewing and negotiating contracts to setting up a multi-event candidating week. And they love and respect First Unitarian and are committed to make the best selection for our members and our church now and for the future.

Fall will be a busy time and we will call upon your participation in critical activities.

• Congregational Survey: The survey will be released next week and we implore you to take the time to complete it by the end of September. The survey gives us and minister candidates the very best picture of who we are. We will let you know how to access the survey electronically or in paper form.

• Cottage Meetings and Small Group Interviews: These round table discussions will enable you to discuss some topics in more depth. Plan to attend in-person or on zoom in October.

• Beyond Categorical Thinking Workshop: This session, to be scheduled in October, gives us the opportunity to explore race, gender, sexuality, class and other areas where we might harbor opinions and biases as we consider minister candidates.

A special Search Committee Webpage will be available on the First Unitarian website soon. Please check frequently to see Search Committee biographies, the search process timeline, a link to the survey and survey results once available, links to sign up for meetings and workshops, as well as updates on activities and any new information.

Starting next week, keep an eye on eBlast, the Order of Service, and the Search Committee Webpage for announcements and thorough instructions on the survey, meetings and workshops. The committee will also reach out to our members who may not get their First U info electronically.