Dear friends,

I am happy to announce that the Board has signed a contract (on your behalf) with David Johnson to be interim minister at UUFA, beginning in August. Dave is an Accredited Interim Minister who has made interim work his permanent ministry. He has served as interim minister and transition specialist at four congregations in the last six years. Dave has a M. Div. in ministry from Harvard University. He also has B.S. and M.S. degrees from M.I.T. in geology and a Ph.D. from the University of California at San Diego in oceanography. He worked in oceanography for approximately 18 years before entering the ministry. He completed 15 years as minister at Shawnee Mission U. U. Church in Kansas before he began his interim ministry. I look forward to getting started on the exciting process of calling a "settled" minister, which we expect to work on over the next two years, with Dave and all of you! Many thanks to Herb West, Virginia Carver, Michelle Leebens-Mack, Brenda Sloan, and especially Richard Bouldin (chair), who did an excellent job of fulfilling their charge as members of the Interim Search Committee.

At the same time, we have begun the process of saying goodbye to Terre Balof, our minister for the last 13 years, and a good friend to many of us. I hope you will join us for a tribute and farewell party on May 30 at 6 pm at the Fellowship. Thanks to Pat Adams and Linn Kent for planning this event, and the many others who are helping.

One more thank you this month--to all those who are retiring--board members Todd Dinkelman, Karen Porter, and Richard Bouldin, members of the nominating and other committees, and many more. The Fellowship could not exist without your efforts and they are very much appreciated.

With gratitude and anticipation,

Patty Freeman-Lynde

President, Board of Trustees