Dear UUFF,
I have thoroughly enjoyed serving with you since I became a member in 2020! In late 2021, the Board offered me a one-year contract as your half-time minister. I was happy to accept it! After that year, I served a few more months with you.
As a full professor at a college in Midland, Texas, I did a lot of remote ministry, while being physically in NWA two weekends per month in the Fall and Spring semesters. I was also present with you in NWA for a full month during the college’s winter break and the three months of summer. That arrangement worked well in many ways but was difficult in others.
I have informed the Board that I need to exit the role of salaried UUFF Minister. I love you and enjoy working with you; however, in this role I am stretched too thin. Furthermore, you need a minister who lives in NWA. I have searched for full-time jobs in NWA and have not found one that would be better for me than the one I have in Texas. My child lives in Fayetteville, so I will be continuing the interstate life and will enjoy being a member of the UUFF community when I am here.
The Board asked me to continue in a decreased capacity through June, and I accepted the proposal. In that time, I will provide two Sunday services per month. Any other ways I choose to serve will be voluntary. This is not goodbye! It’s just an adjustment. I’m excited to discover how I might continue participating in this community, without being on payroll, and wish the best for UUFF!
In solidarity, Rev. Steven
(published April 26, 2023 in the UUFF eNews)
