Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County

Minister's Column
Rev. Evan Keely

From the July-August 2008 UUCMC Newsletter

Some people have expressed surprise to me about the fact that I’ll be preaching in August. The truth is I’ve always believed that religion is a year-round affair. The old joke goes that Unitarians believe that God goes to Cape Cod during the summer. Well, I’m all in favor of a little R&R, but at the same time, we don’t cease to be who we are just because the temperature is a bit warmer. Religion, after all, is supposed to be about that which is most dear to us, that which is at the core of who we are. We can still be our essential selves even when school’s out and the shore beckons.

To be sure, I don’t have anything against those folks whose participation in congregational life wanes a bit during the summer months — or during any other season, for that matter. While I never try to conceal my admiration for those faithful souls who show up at the Meetinghouse day after day, week after week, we also must recognize that even those who are less frequently seen are just as deserving of the congregation’s ministries. Nevertheless, our faith calls us to minister to the world throughout the year, throughout our lives, as best we can.

If there’s any danger to my preaching in August, it’s the slim possibility that the next minister will hate me for it. Can you just hear him/her picking up the phone and grumbling at me a few years from now, “Jeez, Keely, why’dja hafta go preaching in the summer? Now they’re all over me with, ‘But Evan did summer services, why can’t you?’ Thanks a lot, pal.” However, this seems an improbable scenario. More likely, UUCMC’s next settled minister will respond to any queries about why she/he is different from any previous UUCMC minister (or anyone else, for that matter) by offering a gentle reminder that we should be thankful that all of us, clergy and laity alike, bring different gifts, different challenges and different quirks — and isn’t it wonderful that we’re not all the same?

Thank you for a wonderful year. I look forward to seeing you in the Meetinghouse, whatever the season.

Yours in our faith,

Evan

Rev. Keely will be on vacation from June 16 to July 19. July 20-26 he will be available by telephone but will be in Virginia at the Southeast Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute. He will return to his regular office hours on Tuesday, July 29.

If you are in need of emergency pastoral care during Evan’s vacation, please contact UUCMC’s office manager, Janet Rubinaccio, who will provide contact information for a local Unitarian Universalist minister who will be able to respond.