Unitarian Universalism is based on congregational policy, which means that congregations have a lot of power to decide who they are and what they do. Congregations decide who their ministers will be and only congregations ordain ministers. UU ministers come out of UU congregations, and it is expected that ministers in training are connected to a UU congregation; this is how congregations help support the future of our faith tradition.
Please meet or meet again, Rylee Uhrich, a UU minister in training, or “formation” as we call it. Rylee was active at OUUC before leaving Olympia to serve as a ministerial intern for several congregations in the Southwest.
Rylee is sponsored by OUUC, which means she asked the Board to endorse her path to ministry and the Board voted to do so on behalf of the congregation. This endorsement happened in 2018 or so and remains in place.
OUUC has been part of Rylee’s path to ministry and will continue to be so. I have enjoyed getting to know Rylee and welcome her participation in our congregational life. Many ministers helped me on my path to ministry, so this is my opportunity and privilege to pay it forward.
Rylee wrote a letter of introduction to the Board and congregation, which is included here. You can get to know Rylee more on March 13 when she will be interviewed on Melanie Ransom’s Talk Show.
Please join me in welcoming Rylee back to OUUC!
Blessings on your week,
Rev. Mary
