[Fuusm-l] Our New Minister

[Darryl Ting]

Joyce,
During discussions (services and workshop) last spring (2025), the
congregation decided we should try a part-time minister.  So we do not
intend to look for a full-time minister until we as a congregation change
our decision.
Darryl

On Thu, Jan 1, 2026 at 10:41 AM Joyce via Fuusm-l <fuusm-l at fuusm.org> wrote:

> Will we still continue to look for a full time minister?
> Thanks Joyce
>
> On Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 09:42:51 AM EST, Darryl Ting via Fuusm-l <
> fuusm-l at fuusm.org> wrote:
>
>
> FUUSM Family,
>
>
>
> 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.
>
>
>
> This is the first time that FUUSM has had a part-time minister, and we’ll
> all be learning how to adjust to the boundaries and limitations of a
> part-time ministry.  Let’s begin with a common understanding of what the
> Board expects of Evan and how that fits into his available time.
>
>
>
> 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’s load).  We (and Evan)
> estimate this will take up roughly half of his available time.
>
>
>
> 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.
>
>
>
> The remainder of Evan’s 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’s pastoral care needs.  Evan
> has no responsibilities for staff administration.
>
>
>
> There is also the limitation of distance, and it will affect Evan’s
> availability for face-to-face interaction.  Evan lives in Glouster, Ohio,
> about an hour’s drive from Marietta.  To maintain appropriate boundaries
> between his ministerial work and his family and personal life, Evan will
> keep the following weekly schedule.
>
>    Monday       home       noon - 3:30pm           office hours by
> phone/zoom.
>
>    Tuesday       Marietta   10am - 3:00pm         office hours by
> appointment.
>
>    Wednesday  Marietta   10am - 3:00pm         office hours by
> appointment.
>
>    Thursday      home       noon - 3:30pm           office hours by
> phone/zoom.
>
>    Friday           home       10am - 3:30pm          interruption-free
> time for sermon/worship prep
>
>    On those Sundays when he is leading worship, Evan plans to attend the
> coffee hour.
>
> We will be making arrangements for backup pastoral care for situations
> where Evan is not available.
>
>
>
> Here are some the adjustments that we can all make to respect the limits
> and boundaries of part-time ministry.
>
>    * Continue to use our office assistant as an initial contact point and
> information resource.
>
>       Dawn is the most informed about what is going on in the
> congregation.  If she doesn’t know,
>
>       she’ll have a good idea of how to find out.
>
>    * Plan ahead and schedule appointments so that your interactions with
> Evan can occur within
>
>       his office hours if possible.  That will make the most effective use
> of his time.
>
>    * Use the phone/zoom office hours option when face-to-face interactions
> are not needed.
>
>       That will increase the flexibility of Evan’s Marietta time.
>
>
>
> 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’s ability to learn and adapt along the way.
>
>
>
> Vic Elam
>
> President, Board of Trustees
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