From Byron Krystad, UUC Director of Operations

I have a few items to share about changes in the church office this December and January.

Our Office Manager, Jessica Monahan, started a three-month leave of absence on November 26. For the time being, email related to administrative issues that would have been sent to Jessica should be sent to me to determine how we might best redirect and address issues. Calendar requests from our members for small group and program space submitted through our online form at www.uuchurch.org/reservations will be fielded by available staff as quickly as possible. I will also shift my own work schedule to Sunday through Thursday so we can continue to have administrative presence on site on Sundays to address member needs. This means the church office will be closed for administrative work on Fridays, but event support will continue as scheduled with program staff and custodial staff on site.

Our Member Engagement and Support Assistant, Stacy Carlson, will be wrapping up her time as a paid part-time staff member at the end of December. Stacy’s work with Janine Larsen on membership and UUC Connect support, as well as member orientation classes and other programs has been invaluable, and the full force of her contributions will be missed. She will likely continue contributing with a reduced scope of support as a member volunteer in 2025.

On a more personal note, after fifteen years of service in my role as Director of Operations, I have decided to retire. My last day of work at UUC will be January 31. This is an important and exciting opportunity for me and my family to begin a new chapter in our lives, but I’ll try to stay focused in the meantime! There is no easy time to leave an important role in an organization, especially after a long tenure. However, it may also be the ideal season to make this change—to create space and opportunity for rethinking many of the interlinked roles on staff at UUC and how they can be re-conceived for a better future with a new settled minister.

In December, I will be working closely with Rev. Doug and other staff to build bridges that will cover necessary administrative tasks for the short term. In January, I will participate in conversations that will include a variety of lay leaders and Rev. Doug to understand the evolving needs of administration at UUC and among UU congregations in general. When the time is right, the church will hire additional staff at multiple levels of responsibility to meet UUC’s needs during this interim period.

It has been my honor and privilege to serve the congregation of UUC for fifteen years and to walk with you through some momentous and challenging phases. Starting in February, I will be taking an extended break from involvement in the church as I make my own transitions. I wish you all the best of success in your work with Rev. Doug and your search for new and renewed spiritual leadership to take UUC forward on its important journey.