Reference Letters

March 15, 2017

Reverend Keith Kron

Transitions Director

Transitions in Ministries and Faith Development

Unitarian Universalist Association

24 Farnsworth Street

Boston, MA 02210

Dear Rev. Kron:

It is my immense pleasure to write a letter on behalf of the ministerial search committee at the UU Congregation of Columbia (SC) in support of Reverend Jennie Barrington. I suppose this is one of those rare instances where the recipient of a recommendation letter knows as much about the subject as the letter’s author. I suspect that there may be little about Reverend Barrington that I can tell you that you don’t already know. Therefore I will keep things brief. She has been fantastic during her time as interim at the UUCC, and I hope that she will have her pick of interim positions that fit her criteria. (I suspect that you are already aware that “a good college football town” will be among the most important criteria for her.)

I briefly highlight a few things from her time at the UUCC that should translate well to other positions. I suspect that her most notable accomplishment will have been spearheading the congregation’s first capital campaign, which has been a rousing success. Development experience is always valuable. Perhaps less obvious is what she has brought to the search process for a settled minister. She has been both a sounding board and a cheerleader, and seems to have a good feel for when to be which. Our committee has not needed quite as much hand-holding as some perhaps, and to her credit she has generally allowed the committee to take the lead. All the while, she has only interjected when she needs a firm date for an event or needs to make sure she covers certain things with us personally. As co-chair, I have appreciated that. As a parishioner, I’d say that more than any other trait that has helped make her time here successful. This congregation needed an interim minister when she arrived, but it wasn’t broken and dysfunctional. As a minister, working through when to give a little more and when to back off is difficult discernment work. She does it well.

In closing, I cannot imagine that every good minister would make a good interim minister. The traits you need to make that work well are hard to find in any one person. It is also quite difficult to get everything done in a two or three year window. That Reverend Barrington has the traits, works well in that timetable, and apparently enjoys the position, is for lack of a more appropriate phrase, a real blessing for the faith. We at the UUCC have benefited greatly from our association with her and wish her well.

Obviously, if I can be of any further assistance in her search please do not hesitate to be in contact. E-mail me at dcrockett17@gmail.com and/or call me at home 803-933-9890 after 5pm most evenings.

Sincerely,

Blessing of the Animals

On the afternoon of Sunday, November 8 at 3:00 p.m., 18 dogs and 35 human companions, as well as our guest of honor, Rev. Jen-nie Barrington, gathered at UUCC for the 5th Annual Blessing of the Animals. It was a "cold and rainy afternoon," and with special blessings from above, the Animal Ministry, (who had been preparing for this event since September) was able to bring the Blessing of the Animals indoors for an hour, without incident!

Reverend Jennie did a masterful job of presenting some lovely words of inspiration related to blessings and animals and was not deterred by the occasional "woof" coming from her audience. She then blessed each precious creature individually, circulat-ing throughout the room taking time to get to know something about his or her master as well.

A wonderful time was had by all, canine and human. There were toys for the dogs, and cat toys to be taken home, as the cats were safely cuddled up at home! Special doggie goodies were prepared by members of the Animals Ministry to be distributed (along with cat treats), as well as cookies and other snacks for our guests.

We are deeply grateful to the congregation and to the community for supporting this event and on the basis of its success, it is hoped that we will again have another Blessing of the Animals, with an even greater turnout!

Anita Grossman, Chair of the Animal Ministry, would like to thank the following members of the committee, with-out whom this event could not have taken place: Patty Drews, Linda LaRosa, Linda Brennison, Sophia Storlazzi, Laura Culler, Susan and Larry Siegel, and Marilyn Miss. These folks participated in the planning process, making materials and treats (for guests as well as animals), set up for the event, and stayed behind for cleanup. A special shout out goes to Linda Brennison and Sophia Storlazzi, our outstanding photographers. Bethany Storlazzi kept very busy, circulating, making sure that everyone who attended was accounted for on our sign-in sheet (to be added to our contact list). Her sons, Nohl and Drew were on hand to help as needed and to provide water for the animals, and they also deserve recognition. Although not on the committee, a special thanks goes to our new DRE, Stephanie Vesey, for lending a hand during the somewhat chaotic (but organized!) set up! Finally, anoth-er person not on the committee, who deserves special recognition, is Marie Huntt, who donated her time and materials and made the adorable cat toys!

It must be noted that the process for this event unfolded with kind and knowledgeable input by Reverend Jennie at sever-al points along the way. Not only does she have experience in this area (she has performed 12 Blessings prior), she was amazingly supportive and always available when the Animal Ministry needed input. Thank you, Reverend, Jennie!

Anita Grossman

Chair, Animal Ministry

Keith Kron Margaret Montore Transitions Office Unitarian Universalist Association

The Search Team wishes to apprise you of our excellent experience with Rev. Jennie Barrington. I knew from my first contact that Rev. Jennie had something special. And it didn’t take long to understand her many gifts. Her knowledge comes from wide experience with several congregations.

There have been several interim ministers since my time here at UUCLR, however, no one has worked as intentionally as Rev. Jennie did to prepare us for finding and working with a new settled minister. She sees her role, not just as a “fill-in” but also as one who prepares the way for the settled minister. Through sermons, gatherings, and personal contact, she consistently offered a platform of self-discovery and examination of our character.

Often inspirational, always thought provoking, and well worth hearing, her sermons have been based on her own life experiences, current events, and the life of this church, as well as theological wisdom and UUisms.

As a minister, she has attended most of the committee and board meetings and provided thoughtful and helpful insight and suggestions.

Comments from Search Team Members include the following:

- Her worship services have been especially well integrated. The readings, children’s stories, and music, along with original, thoughtful and relevant sermons are always theme based.

- She has made a real effort to learn and understand our history, even constructing a detailed timeline from our 1950 beginning to the present.

- She has had the insight and courage to help us talk about and work through some of the issues left over from the tenures of previous ministers.

- She has attended an unusual number of committee and team meetings, and gives thoughtful and constructive suggestions when appropriate.

- She has been an excellent resource and help to our Search Committee by promoting UUCLR at GA, ministers’ conferences, and via social media as a great church for ministers in search to seriously consider.

- While she gave great support to the Search Committee, she was also careful to maintain the required level of distance.

- Her enthusiasm, energy, good humor and consistently optimistic outlook for the future of UUCLR has been contagious in the congregation as we anticipate the call for our next settled minister.

- She has been a great facilitator in the groups within the congregation that I have observed her with- listening and giving feedback, along with suggestions and ideas from other congregations.

- She has worked with the search team and the congregation to give a "minister's" perspective to the process.

- Overall, she has been a delight to work with and boost for this congregation.

- She has, from the very first day, given each of us good counsel about how the search process works.

–She suggested ideas and positive strategies to develop UUCLR’s Congregational Record, and provided insights into possible expectations of interested ministers.

- She suggested important interview questions for pre-candidates.

- She helped us practice the interview process.

In closing, being a member of this search team has been one of the most rewarding experiences of church life for each of us, due in no small part to Rev. Jennie’s support and wisdom.

Sincerely,

Dawn Harris, Chair