Minister's Corner

Reverend Lucy Ijams

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Minister’s Message

 

     There are essentially two misconceptions about the work schedule of a minister.  One is that a minister only works on Sunday mornings.  The other is that ministers are busy, busy, busy, always on the move, going from meeting, to hospital, to the library, to home visits with other parishioners.  Few people realize that we have time for them and what is going on in their lives.

 

     I am not too busy.  I became a minister in part to have the time for you and your concerns.  The following is a list that appears in church newsletters from time to time.  It was originally penned by UU minister the Rev. Peter Lee Scott and has been adapted by others.

 

WHEN TO CALL (OR E-MAIL) YOUR MINISTER:

  1.         When you or a member of your family is ill.

  2.         When you, or a family member, or a church member you know is in the hospital.

  3.         When you are experiencing a life crisis and need to talk.

  4.         When you are celebrating one of life’s joys and want to share the good news.

  5.         When you have a child you wish to dedicate, or christen, or baptize.

  6.         When you have concerns about the church, or our faith community.

  7.         When you are feeling challenged by your life circumstances and want to talk.

  8.         When a family member has undertaken a difficult and potentially dangerous mission, like serving abroad in the Armed Forces, and you need someone to share your worries.

  9.         When you feel challenged to bear witness to your faith in the wider world.

10.         When you are considering joining the church.

11.         When you have just finished running a marathon (or other similar amazing feat.)

12.         When you have a good story to share.

13.         When you are feeling alone and want to be reminded of all the support you have.

14.         When you want to get more involved in the church community.

15.         When you want to talk about religion.

16.         When you are planning to get married or divorced.

17.         When you have lost your job, found a new job, been promoted or demoted.

18.         When you have won the lottery.

19.         When you would like to make plans for your memorial service.

20.         When you are looking for a way to deepen your spiritual life.

21.         When you’ve called or e-mailed already, and I didn’t respond.

 

     In other words, I am not too busy for you, even if it might appear that way, so please give me a call.       

 

     I will be on vacation beginning January 31^st and returning to work on February 15^th.  If   something urgent arises in your life, the Trustees know how to reach me.  Until we meet again,  I hope all will be well.

                                                           

In good faith, Lucy

Minister's Office Hours:  Tuesdays & Thursdays and by appointment

Secretary’s Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 8:30 - 11:30 AM. (No hours in July & August.) 

About the Reverend Ijams:

The Reverend Ijams was minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Meriden, Connecticut for over 13 ½  years and brings a broad range of talents and interests to our community. She was hired by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Utica as a Consulting Minister, effective August 1, 2010.  The Reverend Ijams is seeking an opportunity to grow with the congregation and help facilitate the spiritual and institutional health of the church.

 The Reverend Ijams, a native of Long Island, NY, graduated from New College, Hofstra University with a BA in Humanities (Literature Emphasis).  She was a long-time resident of Maine before undertaking her studies for parish ministry at Andover Newton Theological School near Boston, Massachusetts.  She earned her Master of Divinity Degree in 1994.  While a student, the Rev. Ijams was a part-time chaplain at a retirement home founded by Universalists in Foxboro, MA, a part-time student minister at the First Universalist Society of Franklin, MA, and supplied pulpits regularly in that area.

Following theological school, she served an 11 month internship at Emerson Unitarian Church in Houston, TX.  She completed two 400 hour units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, ME.  She also supplied several pulpits in Maine.

Ms. Ijams became a Unitarian Universalist in 1983 and was ordained by the Unitarian Universalist Church in Brunswick, ME in June, 1996. Shortly afterward she began her ministry in Meriden, Connecticut, where she was active in the community, serving as President of the clergy association, and as a volunteer chaplain at MidState Medical Center.  She also held leadership positions in the Clara Barton District of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Her passion for justice was expressed in campaigns for equal rights for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender persons; for access to quality, affordable health care for all Connecticut citizens; abolition of the death penalty and torture; and in anti-war and anti-racism initiatives.  In addition, she led the Meriden congregation in a demonstration for a reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels to 350 parts per billion in the 350.org campaign on Global Climate Action Day in October, 2009.

In her spare time, Ms. Ijams enjoys singing, dancing, public television and radio, foreign films, aerobic exercise, day hikes and camping.

 The Rev. Ijams recently told us, "I am delighted to be living and working in Utica.  This area is beautiful and full of interesting activities for my inquiring mind and active body.  The ethnic diversity here is a real plus in terms of building cross-cultural relationships that can benefit the city.  I have enjoyed seeing the members of this church out at community events, and I'm looking forward to helping fan the flames of our liberal faith"

Previously Published:

It’s been about twenty years since this church has considered its mission. On the east wall of the sanctuary, the mission statement adopted in 1993 is posted. Trustees Brenda Marris, Jay Hagenbuch and I want to engage you in an examination of it. What parts of it excite you, and what parts lack your personal engagement? You can write comments on the paper, and there might be some sticky notes to write further comments on and post. I imagine a similar process could take place on the church’s Facebook page.

This is something like an open space process. We’ve talked about having small discussion groups also as part of our goal to create a mission and vision statement that speaks clearly about the identity of the congregation and its intentions or purpose for existing. Ideally, the end product will be short enough to easily remember and to tell another person about. It will be the short story about who we are and what we do to make a difference, something akin to the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations slogan, “Nurture your spirit, help heal our world.”

For those who are connected to the church but are not able to attend, you have a part to play in this too. Consider the questions above and send us your thoughts. You can mail your comments to the church address. Here’s the statement posted in the sanctuary:
 

We have a mission: To provide a non-creedal religious community where people can find a caring and supportive environment. To provide an atmosphere for individual spiritual exploration, a climate that challenges us intellectually, and a forum for the open discussion of values, ethics and beliefs. To continue the tradition of a free and untrammeled pulpit. To provide liberal religious education for all ages. To celebrate our unique individuality and rich diversity. To take actions that honor, value and nurture the interdependent web of life. To extend our Unitarian Universalist influence in the community.
 

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