Minister: Lake Country UU Church

Rev. Linda Berez is now in her second year as our half-time consulting minister. Her background includes a wide range of experiences and interests. Professionally, she served as intern minister in Boston, Massachusetts with the Arlington Street Church and the Church of the Larger Fellowship. She was involved in creating an online learning center for religious education and provided support in the formation of an on-line religious community for young adults ages 18-35. She resides in Franklin, Wisconsin.

Linda is passionate about the message of Unitarian Universalism and believes that ours is a message of hope and peace. Her ministry is about helping people live out our principles and it’s about finding ways toward a compassionate way of being with each other in this world.

Greetings, Yes, summer is waning. As I write these words to you the signs are apparent. The festivals and fairs are winding down, stores are gearing up their “Back to School” displays, and there are even Halloween displays up in some places. This morning there was a bit of fall-like temperatures in the air and many summer vacations are coming to an end. Yes, before you know it the autumnal equinox will be here.

The good news, of course, is that our church year will be back in full swing on September 7th, when we will gather once more for our Annual Water Communion. (See my note on the service announcement page for more information.) I’m looking forward to this next year as your half time consulting minister. This will be my second year here at Lake Country UU Church. Preparation is already underway for some of the twenty worship services I will offer over the course of the next nine months. In addition to my Sunday schedule I’ll continue to participate on many committees and on the Board of Trustees. I also hope to offer at least two adult education classes (see below), and work with the membership committee to welcome new members.

As always, I’m available via email, phone and by appointment in my office. New this year, weather permitting, I’ll be in the office Tuesdays from 3-5pm. As you know, during the last church year many of us watched the Harry Potter movies together. This year I’d like to offer a "Movies with the Minister" series again. I have a few thoughts of the films I’d like to see but I’d really like to hear from you. Please email or call me with your suggestions. Let’s keep them kid friendly. I’ll make my decision for our first movie by the October newsletter deadline so we can gather together October 11th at 6:30 p.m..

Also, October will be a good time to begin an Adult Education class that comes to us via the Unitarian Universalist Association. It’s called: “Spirit of Life: Exploring Spirituality for Unitarian Universalists.” Last year over fifty congregations field tested this brand new curriculum. It looks rich and rewarding, and I hope you will join me for this program. More information will follow on the member list and in the October newsletter.

One thing I’ve come to appreciate living here in Wisconsin is the change of seasons. As we begin to turn the page from summer to fall, so too do we turn the page onto a new church year. My hope for this year is that it’s filled with the light and love of this community that gathers once more to “rejoice in life, find the sacred and seek justice with open minds and hearts.” May it be so. Linda