<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:times new roman,serif;font-size:large"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt">FUUSM Family,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt">Happy 2026! I am pleased to announce that Rev. Evan Young
will be our minister for the next year, on a half-time basis beginning January
1. We are excited to begin his ministry
with us. Please join me in extending a
warm welcome to Evan.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt">This is the first time that
FUUSM has had a part-time minister, and we\u2019ll all be learning how to adjust to
the boundaries and limitations of a part-time ministry. Let\u2019s begin with a common understanding of
what the Board expects of Evan and how that fits into his available time. </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt">Our highest priority area is
worship services. Evan will be
responsible for preparing and leading 26 services per year. This is a high service load (about three
fourths of a full-time minister\u2019s load).
We (and Evan) estimate this will take up roughly half of his available
time.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt">Our second highest priority
area is pastoral care. While the Caring
Committee continues their current scope of activities, Evan will be supporting
their efforts with visitations and with counseling for those times when we need
help and support. We estimate this will
average roughly a quarter of his available time. But we expect it will vary quite a bit with
the circumstances. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt">The remainder of Evan\u2019s time
will be used for our lower priority areas as time permits. Those areas initially include congregational
development (in areas assigned by the Board) and community outreach. Time availability is expected to vary
depending on the congregation\u2019s pastoral care needs. Evan has no responsibilities for staff
administration.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt">There is also the limitation of
distance, and it will affect Evan\u2019s availability for face-to-face
interaction. Evan lives in Glouster,
Ohio, about an hour\u2019s drive from Marietta.
To maintain appropriate boundaries between his ministerial work and his
family and personal life, Evan will keep the following weekly schedule.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> Monday home noon
- 3:30pm office hours by phone/zoom.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> Tuesday Marietta 10am - 3:00pm office hours by
appointment.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> Wednesday Marietta 10am - 3:00pm office hours by
appointment. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> Thursday home noon
- 3:30pm office hours by phone/zoom.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> Friday home 10am
- 3:30pm interruption-free time for sermon/worship
prep</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> On those Sundays when he is leading worship,
Evan plans to attend the coffee hour. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt">We will be making
arrangements for backup pastoral care for situations where Evan is not available. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt">Here are some the adjustments
that we can all make to respect the limits and boundaries of part-time
ministry. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> * Continue to use our office assistant as an
initial contact point and information resource.
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> Dawn is the most informed about what is
going on in the congregation. If she
doesn\u2019t know, </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> she\u2019ll have a good idea of how to find
out. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> * Plan
ahead and schedule appointments so that your interactions with Evan can occur
within </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> his office hours if possible. That will make the most effective use of his
time. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> * Use
the phone/zoom office hours option when face-to-face interactions are not
needed. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> That will increase the flexibility of
Evan\u2019s Marietta time. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt">2026 will be a significant
year for FUUSM. We are embarking on our
first part-time ministry. We have a good
starting point, and I am confident of FUUSM\u2019s ability to learn and adapt along
the way.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt">Vic Elam </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt">President, Board of Trustees</span></p></div></div>