ANNOUNCEMENT
After much anticipation, the ministerial search committee would like to introduce you to our candidate for settled minister,
the Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey. Growing up in NYC, the Reverend Gordon Clay Bailey spent his early adult life searching for a job where he could make the most difference: a home for abused boys, Catholic Charities, Job Corps, the New York City Public School System, and ultimately,ministry. His call to ministry in his thirties led him to serve in the Unitarian Universalist denomination due to its rich tradition in social justice and its non-dogmatic approach to worship.
Rev. Bailey is a Board-Certified Clinical Chaplain and Pastoral Counselor with a dual BA in Anthropology and Sociology and a Master of Divinity, with a focus in Urban Ministry.
Rev. Bailey is married to Lisa Stiffler Bailey and between them they have four children (Jennifer, Devin, Ethan, and Darien) and one granddaughter (Kai). Rev. Bailey will be serving our congregation during “candidating week”, June 14 through 21,leading online services on those two Sundays - from his home in upstate New York due to the pandemic - and making himself available for Zoom or phone meetings throughout that week. Candidating week will conclude with a short meeting after service on Sunday, June 21, where congregational members will vote on whether to call Rev. Bailey to be our settled minister. Please mark your calendars for these events, and reach out to me (Larry McAllister) at [email protected] if you would like to schedule some time to meet Rev Bailey during his week with us.
In faith,
Larry McAllister
After much anticipation, the ministerial search committee would like to introduce you to our candidate for settled minister,
the Rev. Gordon Clay Bailey. Growing up in NYC, the Reverend Gordon Clay Bailey spent his early adult life searching for a job where he could make the most difference: a home for abused boys, Catholic Charities, Job Corps, the New York City Public School System, and ultimately,ministry. His call to ministry in his thirties led him to serve in the Unitarian Universalist denomination due to its rich tradition in social justice and its non-dogmatic approach to worship.
Rev. Bailey is a Board-Certified Clinical Chaplain and Pastoral Counselor with a dual BA in Anthropology and Sociology and a Master of Divinity, with a focus in Urban Ministry.
Rev. Bailey is married to Lisa Stiffler Bailey and between them they have four children (Jennifer, Devin, Ethan, and Darien) and one granddaughter (Kai). Rev. Bailey will be serving our congregation during “candidating week”, June 14 through 21,leading online services on those two Sundays - from his home in upstate New York due to the pandemic - and making himself available for Zoom or phone meetings throughout that week. Candidating week will conclude with a short meeting after service on Sunday, June 21, where congregational members will vote on whether to call Rev. Bailey to be our settled minister. Please mark your calendars for these events, and reach out to me (Larry McAllister) at [email protected] if you would like to schedule some time to meet Rev Bailey during his week with us.
In faith,
Larry McAllister
Description of Ministerial Duties:
Our Minister serves the Congregation by leading Worship, facilitating Pastoral Care, providing counsel, joining the efforts of the Membership-Welcoming Committee, and being the official representative of UUCLV in the larger community. The Minister is an Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Trustees and attends routine Board Meetings, Town Hall and Annual Meetings. The ministerial schedule places the Minister in the pulpit for a certain number of Sundays in the contractual year, as decided by the Minister and the UUCLV Worship Council. The primary focus on the minister is to manage the staff and volunteers to make sure Sunday Services are prepared and executed according to Covenant.
The minister is to be available while in the Congregation’s locale, performing most sermon research and writing at home or in the congregation’s office. UUCLV’s contract regards the Minister’s time spent participating in District, UUMA, and/or UUA events as professional responsibilities and time. The Minister leads the Pastoral Care ministry and is supported by a Pastoral Care Committee.
The minister has the primary role of infusing spirituality into the work of the congregation through committees, projects, and exchanges. Recently, the impetus has been on the Welcoming aspects of what we do, but the minister always provides a re-frame through a religious lens.
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The Congregation is hoping the minister will:
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Ministerial Search Committee Member
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How would you describe our congregation to prospective ministers?
When asked to describe our Congregation, members and friends commonly use terms like “familiar” and “eclectic,” with respect to our religious perspectives. These terms also refer to the many different parts of the country our members come from. Everyone comes from somewhere else for a variety of reasons: the location, retirement, jobs, and the outdoor opportunities.
As individuals in private life, we are actively involved in a variety of local and national organizations that advocate for the common good. This translates into our collective community having a strong dedication to peace, love and social justice. During our monthly Food Pantry, which serves an average of 135 families, 25-30 members/friends volunteer. While we may be a small congregation, we are mighty, full of life, and big hearted. We show up when and where it counts. We care about how we live in the world.
We work to be welcoming to all who come here. We are continually evolving in our consciousness and behavior toward one another via our Six Covenants. We desire to create more connections and cohesion with one another, to build community.
There is always room for more growth in that respect. Our membership leans toward retirees/near retirees, and in the past few years, participation by younger families has waned enough that our Religious Education program for families is now limited to bare essentials. We share a common ambition to attract more families with children so that our Religious Education program can be redeveloped.
As individuals in private life, we are actively involved in a variety of local and national organizations that advocate for the common good. This translates into our collective community having a strong dedication to peace, love and social justice. During our monthly Food Pantry, which serves an average of 135 families, 25-30 members/friends volunteer. While we may be a small congregation, we are mighty, full of life, and big hearted. We show up when and where it counts. We care about how we live in the world.
We work to be welcoming to all who come here. We are continually evolving in our consciousness and behavior toward one another via our Six Covenants. We desire to create more connections and cohesion with one another, to build community.
There is always room for more growth in that respect. Our membership leans toward retirees/near retirees, and in the past few years, participation by younger families has waned enough that our Religious Education program for families is now limited to bare essentials. We share a common ambition to attract more families with children so that our Religious Education program can be redeveloped.
Food Pantry Distribution Day
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Gallery
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