A Letter from Rev. Carter

With a mixture of sadness and gratitude for her service, I share the news that Rev. Katie Lawson who has been serving as our Director of Religious Exploration will be concluding her time at Westside UU at the end of this summer. She has taken on the work of caring for our children and families, and the challenges of this ministry in these times, with grace and creativity. We are sad to see Rev. Katie go, but we understand and support her decision which is based on unforeseen personal factors. We carry immense appreciation for what she has brought to our shared life in this past year. Together, the Board and I are ready to undergo a thoughtful search process to find the next person to nurture and grow this vibrant program.

In faith,
Rev. Carter

Dear all,

It is with sincere regret that I need to let you know that I will not be returning as your Director of Religious Exploration next year. In the short time that I have been a part of this community, I have come to love it and am deeply invested in it continuing to thrive and extend its reach. Unfortunately, our family’s financial situation has shifted, and I need to seek a full-time position elsewhere. Click to Read More

I leave with a mixture of feelings. First, I’m simply sad to leave such a humane workplace. As an employer, Westside walks its talk, and I don’t take that for granted. I also grieve that I won’t be getting my “next year” with the Religious Exploration program. I have spent much of this year learning the ropes, getting the wheels on my wagon, and listening to families, kids and teachers in order to begin discerning the next step for our work together. I have a running list of “next year, we will’s” that I would really love to be a part of putting in place. At the same time, I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to do THIS work with THESE people for any amount of time that it is hard to be too sad.

I have every faith that the leadership will find someone to bring the Religious Exploration program forward. I will make sure that whatever bits of insight I have gathered are not lost and look forward to bringing the same spirit of generosity to transition that Jade Wilde and others brought to my on-boarding.

Thank you so much for your welcome and all of your support. I will miss being a Westsider.

Peace,

Katie