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A Message from the UUCR Board - We are pleased to announce that Reverend Kirk Ballin will be serving UUCR in the coming months as a provider of pastoral care. He is also available as needed to preside at weddings, funerals, and other rites of passage. As of November 1, he can be contacted directly to make arrangements for pastoral care, including crisis intervention and visitation of the homebound, sick, dying, and bereaved. He will also be consulting regularly with the Caring Committee to help him stay attuned to needs in the church community. Kirk is familiar to many at UUCR from his years as our minister. We will all have an opportunity to meet or reacquaint ourselves with him on Sunday, November 13, when he will be visiting during the worship service.To contact Kirk to set up a pastoral counseling appointment or to discuss an upcoming ceremony, reach him: By phone – 540 793-0752 By email - uurevkirk@aol.com |
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A Message from Reverend Kirk Ballin - Firstly, let me say how honored and humbled I am to be asked to provide pastoral and rites of passages services to the UUCR community, while the search process for a new minister makes its way over the next several months. It is a testimony to the wisdom of the community to recognize that fundamental needs of the members of the community do not go on hold |
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during this transitional time. Secondly, it is important that I be clear with you just as to what these services will be, particularly during this time of transition and after a difficult parting with Audette. Pastoral services for me include: exploring issues of faith/religion/spirituality; guidance and support around emotional/psychological concerns of a personal and/or relational nature; being a source of support and guidance during health related events, including visitations, when required. Many of these will overlap in their origin of concern. I will be meeting with the Caring Committee on a monthly basis, and will use that Committee to keep me abreast of the situation of specific members. I also see my role as pastoral counselor to be short term, and if extended counseling or care is needed we will work together in finding the appropriate path for you.
With regard to the circumstances and emotions around Audette’s moving on, I am not here to be a player in the assessment of the changes and what led up to them, other than to say that I think everyone cares about the welfare of the community and that I hope wisdom and compassion will guide you in your work. Our Seven Principles certainly provide the foundation for this; take them to heart. That being said, if anyone has issues or concerns about the impact this transition has personally had on him/her, I am available to explore that. It’s a fine line, but one I intend to keep clear. Rites of Passage for me include: weddings of all adult genders; memorial/funeral services; child dedications; any other life transition events that might be needed.
Because of the nature of my contract, all my services are provided without financial cost to signed members of UUCR. I will consider working with others on a pre-arranged agreement. I am available by phone, e-mail and Facebook. Because I do have other obligations, I will sometimes be out of town, etc. But I intend to work with you in finding mutually agreeable times and places to meet. Once again, thank you for this opportunity to be of service to you, and I look forward to the months ahead.
Faith-fully, Kirk |