News from Eliot Chapel

Dear Beloveds,

I have some good news that I can finally share with you! Rev. Dee Evans (she/they) is going to be joining us as our ¼-time Assistant Minister beginning September 1, 2024. They will focus their time on Pastoral Care, the Welcome Team, and Worship. Many of you will know Dee as our Affiliate Community Minister. The Board of Trustees approved her Affiliate status last fall. An Affiliate Minister does their ministry outside of a congregational setting, sometimes in a non-profit, in health care, or in the penal system. 

We began to consider restoring a supporting minister to Eliot Chapel when it became clear that we had a sizable surplus of funds from the 2023/2024 year. Your generosity last year was outstanding. After several years of tightening our belts from the fallout of the pandemic, you refilled the coffers! Some of the surplus is being used to take care of delayed maintenance. But we also wanted to reinvest in our people. We have a three-year plan to gradually shift the cost of this position from our surplus funds into the budget funded by your pledges. 

Hear from Rev. Krista and Rev. Dee in the linked video.

I have known Rev. Dee for eight years. I supported her ministerial formation when I served as the Dean of the Unitarian Universalist House of Studies at Eden Theological Seminary and as her mentor when she was preparing to meet with the Ministerial Fellowship Committee. Rev. Dee brings a wealth of experience. She has a doctorate in Psychology and served in the Illinois Corrections system for many years. She is a member of the Metro East Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Edwardsville, Illinois where they served in many volunteer capacities, including President of the Board, Welcome, and Pastoral Care. Rev. Dee completed an internship at the Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation which welcomed her enthusiastically and treasured their presence. I am excited about what Rev. Dee can offer our beloved congregation.

When you see Rev. Dee, please be sure to welcome her as our Assistant Minister. May this be a fruitful ministry filled with many blessings.

Yours in faith and love,

Rev. Krista (she/her)

Lead Minister