T.S. Eliot said that at the end of all our exploring “will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” Seems pretty apropos to my arriving back at Miami Valley after many years of doing my exploring and discovering my ministry. Now I bring back to you the fruit of my exploration as we make a beginning together. Or as Eliot says “What we call a beginning is often the end, and to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from.”

This summer brings an end to a wonderful two years with your interim minister, Martha Hodges. It brings an end to your search for your new minister. And it will bring the beginning of my ministry with you. I’m very excited, as I hope you are.

At the beginning of any relationship, there is often a getting to know you time where people make assumptions about each other and sometimes get false impressions of each other. It’s both an uncomfortable time of trying not to get in each other’s way and a joyful time of discovery. I hope to get to know each of you and I hope you will make an effort to know me. I hope you will not hold back questions you may have about me. Sometimes a direct question about something is the best way to get something cleared up even if it seems too abrupt.

During my first few weeks after I arrive on August 15th, I will have several day and evening appointments available for anyone who wishes to come meet with me. I will also attend at least one of each of the committee meetings during the first few months, just to make myself available and to get to know as many people as possible.

The end is where we start from. We start from many endings that have brought you to a greater understanding of the mission and goals of MVUUF. I will do my best to learn what the Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is about, and what each of you is about as individuals. I eagerly await our beginnings!

—Rev. Amy Russell