I am so excited to be with you all at Pacific Unitarian. We arrived in California at the beginning of August and have been settling into a townhouse in Long Beach. It’s amazing how much this area has to offer!

My spouse, Div (they/them), started their job last week as an Assistant Professor of Economics at Cal State Fullerton. We are learning a lot about the Cal State system. Our dog, Dobby, has adjusted well and seems to enjoy barking along with the other neighborhood dogs.

I have been so grateful for the welcome I have received from Pacific Unitarian. You all have been kind and curious as we have started to build relationships.

I am spending my first couple of months as your minister getting to know you. Yes, the immediate work demands some of my attention. As your minister, I also want to get to know each of you, your theologies, your history with Pacific Unitarian, your life journeys, and your thoughts about the future. I hope that you will come to trust me, especially when you need a shoulder to cry on or someone to listen as you make a hard choice. I deeply value those pastoral connections.

I would love to meet with everyone in the church. Please make an hour appointment with me using this link.

At my first service, I talked about the steps in the interim process. These are the steps I will undertake with the help of the members of Pacific Unitarian. The Transition Team will assist me in this work. In case you missed them, here is a review!

  1. HERITAGE Review how the congregation has been shaped and formed.
  2. MISSION – Define and redefine the congregation’s sense of purpose and direction.
  3. LEADERSHIP – Review member needs and the congregation’s ways of organizing and developing leadership.
  4. CONNECTIONS – Discover and nurture the relationships a faith community builds outside of itself.
  5. FUTURE – Prepare for the next era of leadership and vision.

We are embarking on a journey together that will help shape the future of Pacific Unitarian. I hope you will join me in this important work.

Blessings,
Chloë Briedé, Interim Minister