The Pastor’s Pen – January 2026
As we step into a new year together, I’m mindful that congregational life – like life itself – often invites moments of reflection and renewal. In that spirit, I’d like to revisit a few topics from my first year with you, with the hope of offering clarity, care, and connection.
One of those topics is my living situation. While where I live is, of course, personal, I also understand that it matters to many of you that your minister is rooted in the life of this community. With that in mind, I want to share a bit more context.
I currently live in Burbank. My family and I made a sincere effort to relocate to the South Bay. After an extensive housing search, multiple rejected applications for housing suitable for our family of four, and a financially difficult period of almost four months during which we tried to maintain two apartments, we ultimately made the decision to move back in with our daughters. It was not an easy choice, but it was the most responsible one available to us.
I want to reassure you that the commute is far more manageable than we initially feared. Like many Angelenos, there are occasional longer drives, but rarely more than an hour. I also use that time intentionally for ministry work: listening to audiobooks and podcasts for sermon preparation and making phone calls, including pastoral care check-ins.
As you know, I am regularly on campus and deeply committed to being present and engaged in the life of this congregation. There have been a few occasions when I’ve arrived at a meeting in person or online later than planned, but I am communicative, and those instances have been rare and for good reason. I’m always open to sharing context when questions arise.
Another topic I’ve learned some folks have questions about is the use of our campus by outside organizations. When we host non-Pacific Unitarian events, there is a rental fee; when events are hosted by Pacific Unitarian, there is not. I’m always happy to share information about these events and how they support the stewardship of our shared space.
Lastly, I also find that I am needing rest after Sunday and am on campus more on Fridays and Saturdays. So, going forward, I will be taking Mondays off and setting more meetings at the end of the week.
I want to close by saying this: in any community, when questions go unspoken, stories can fill the gaps – and those stories aren’t always accurate. My hope is that we can continue to nurture a culture of openness, trust, and direct communication. If you have questions, concerns, or curiosities, I warmly invite you to come to me directly. And if that feels uncomfortable, our Shared Ministry Committee is also available to listen and help bring concerns forward. That committee currently includes Lee Ann Hart, Greg Garcia, Susan Owen, Jill Mueck, and Marlene Barone.
I am so grateful for this community, and for the care we show one another as we continue growing together into this new year.
With gratitude,
Joshua