Guest Blog by Colleen Johnson
Dear Friends,
I have been a member of QUUF since 2006. I have sung in the choir, organized food for the Women’s Retreat, served as Pledge Chair for six years. I have been on Endowments, taught and attended ALPs classes, meditated in the mornings, worked on the auction, and coordinated holiday potlucks. I have done my share. My Covenant Groups have sustained me for all these years, and I am now in an affinity group where we arrive with burdens and, every week, leave laughing. QUUF has been the hub of my social and spiritual life – services, sermons. Kate’s blogs, poetry, op-eds, conversations – all have inspired me to be my best self.
I have loved Port Townsend. I have sung with Community Chorus, Rainshadow, Threshold Choir. I have been privileged to direct Summertime Singers for 10 years, and the choir at Grace Lutheran for five. I have gotten so much from living here and being part of this. I will miss this town, the glorious trees, the freshness of the air, and all of you.
But the time has come for me to make changes. My “aging in place” isn’t going to be in this place. It is with deep regret that I offer my resignation as President of the Board of Trustees, effective July 22. Vice President Larry Morrell will step into that role. It is not a decision I have made lightly, but seems to be necessary. I will honor my pledge for the coming year because I know we need to have adequate staff to accomplish our goals, and I support that. I will not leave my endowments bequest in place, and hope others of you will step up to fill that gap.
I have eye issues which make it necessary for me to be close to family. I have known for a year and a half that my housing needed to change and, in this current market boom, haven’t been able to do that. But I need to get my money out of it, so I know what my resources are. The sale of my house is pending and I will buy in Indiana, closer to family.
I am sorry to be leaving at a time of uncertainty. I have long held to the concept of QUUF as a big rainbow-striped umbrella with room for all of us. I want us to be the “big tent” – Paula Cole-Jones’s “community of communities” – in which we love and accept each other for the diverse people we are. To me, that is a lesson from the cultures of marginalized people – don’t throw people away! We are non-creedal, which means we don’t require adherence to a faith. What marks us as UUs is our covenant to treat each other with dignity and respect, able to disagree without being disagreeable.
I saw myself as having skills and experience which could contribute to resolving issues we face, but now, I need to turn this responsibility over to you. We have elected a strong, hard-working, resilient Board, and you can trust them to do the best for the Fellowship. Rev. Kate Lore has led us through the pandemic and we have emerged with our staff reconfigured and rebuilt, with new vibrancy in our Sunday services, with the promise of once again being together. I trust that we can all work together, to paraphrase the hymn, to build bridges between our divisions, to reach out to each other, to find our common ground, and to live in harmony.
I leave with gratitude and sorrow, and with hopes for brighter days for both this congregation and for me!
Although I miss my PT friend, my move to Colorado has proven to be the right thing for me to do. Here’s hoping you will find the same to be true.
The [Boy} Scout Rule says to always leave the campground cleaner than you found it, and it’s a fine goal for one’s involvement in organizations as well… You will certainly leave the QUUF community better for having been among us, Colleen; thank you! I hope you find good health and great joy in your new home.
Thank you for all your work at QUUF. Your joyful presence will be missed, we wish you much happiness as you head to the mid west.
Thank you Colleen for your many years of dedication and persistence and good food! Wishing you much happiness in your next chapter.
Colleen, I trust you know how much I appreciate all that you have brought to QUUF. Your combination of expertise, enthusiasm and creativity has contributed in a wide variety of ways, including ones I don’t know, but can imagine. I’ll truly miss our ability to exchange a glance and know what the other is thinking. Must be that Midwest connection. Best wishes with your eyes. UM did wonders for me.
I have enjoyed getting to know you and am sad you are leaving. But being with family is important. My only close family lives in Bellingham and I feel blessed. Much love, Julia
I’m so sorry to see you leave Coleen, I have truly enjoyed your presence at QUUF, RainShadow and especially directing the Summertime Singers. You have been a shining light of delightful music and heartfelt energy for us all.
Blessings always, Don
Dear Colleen, I will miss you at QUUF. Having been in a covenant group with you for many years and the recipient of your baking skills, i.e cookies, fruit cake, etc… Thank you for all the contributions of time and talent you have given our QUUF community over the years, you will be missed my friend.
Oh Dear Colleen!!! You have truly been a GIFT to the entire Port Townsend community and especially QUUF!!! You will leave so many holes!!! I have LOVED getting to know you in our Threshold intimate gatherings, PTCC, your Summertime Singers concerts… and we will truly miss you, your beautiful voice and guidance!!! Thank you for all of your generous time given in EVERYTHING you have done here at QUUF!!! Ah, sorry about your vision issues, I’m glad for your family that you will be near to them!!! Please stay in touch! We all adore you! Lots of love, Cindy and Susan
Hi Colleen,
Judith and I are deeply saddened to hear about your eye problems. I first came to know you soon after we joined QUUF and I was elected to serve on the endowment committee with you. I really admired your dedication and hard work. I also have enjoyed singing with you in the choir and community chorus. Wish you all the best in the next phase of your journey. We will miss you at QUUF and in the music events in town.
I am so sad that you are forced to leave our wonderful community. I feel.blessed to have had the opportunity to know you better thru our covenant group these past 2 years, and I know how much time, energy, and love you have given to us as board member and president. I thank you for that. I will miss you but send you love as you make this transition. Indiana will be lucky to get you!
Thanks for all your leadership, smiles and kindness. You will be missed!
Colleen , while I have been gone much of the past 3 years, I knew you were hard at work for QUUF. You have been a mainstay for us and I will miss you.
Will miss you lots. I think you were in my first Build Your Own Theology class with me, about 12 years ago? And remember the music class when you let some of us play with handbells? Happy travels, and enjoy Indiana. There are fireflies! My Grandma was a Hoosier.
Hi Colleen! I, too, am sorry to hear about your eye difficulties and wish you all the best! Your kindness, friendship, and hard work was always appreciated. Do take care of yourself! I will miss you.
Colleen your dedication and attention to details will be sorely missed at quuf. Thank you for all your volunteer services over the years. Best wishes from Woody Nibbler and from Robin Stemen too.
Darn Colleen…(I’d use other language but I don’t think I’m allowed)? You are such a wonderful leader and total inspiration to me..you will be incredibly missed.( I completely understand but I don’t have to like it?. ) please take care of you for all of us. With Lots of Love Susie
I shall be thinking of your constant, happy presence, your endless energy, devotion to others, and that glorious SMILE ! Fare well, my dear. You will be greatly missed. XXOO. Love Nancy
Colleen, best of luck for contentment in your new home. I so enjoyed your Saturday morning hymn tutorials. I will think about you and your delicious babka on my birthday next year. Love, Barbara
Colleen, while understanding the need for your move, your departure will no doubt leave a giant hole to be filled within the QUUF and Port Townsend community universe. Although we haven’t connected since Dave and I migrated to Bremerton, I still have very fond memories of the many meetings and projects where we worked together during our days at QUUF. You have such wonderful gifts and the generosity of spirit to share them, and we are all the better for having been in your orbit. We wish you the very best of everything in your next chapter. With love and respect, Robin & Dave
Thanks for all the years of service to QUUF. I hope your future is filled with wonderful moments and beautiful experiences. You will be missed. Safe travels.
Colleen, am sad that you are leaving, but understand the need. Wishing you all the best in Indiana. Take care and warmest wishes.
Colleen, you have given us so much. A million thanks to you and I hope you will find great happiness where you land. Somehow I feel that you will because you bring so much positivity with you.
You have been such a great role model, Colleen. Your music and intellect have led us for so long it’s hard to imagine life at Quuf without. Please keep in touch as you blossom in Indiana.
There simply is not space enough here for me to express all the love and gratitude I have for you Colleen. QUUF has benefitted greatly from your being with us, and as a Board member under your unbelievably dedicated hard work, I have been inspired. Your courage and skills will leave lasting benefits for us all. As you know, I am very sad to see you go, but I know that you will thrive as you plant new roots in Indiana.
Colleen,
Our Art and Soul group will miss you! We have enjoyed sharing our joys and sorrows while sharing our creations, much as the old sewing circle. Marcus and I wish you the best as you find a home close to your old roots and family. We wish you the best.
Colleen: Ach mein Gott! I am fairly new to QUUF, and have only recently come to know you. You have been a shining light of strength and integrity in some very trying times. It is with gratitude that we honor your service, and with sorrow that we understand that you must go. We will miss you more than you can imagine, but we understand that life has its own agenda, sometimes proceeding without our conscious assent. We understand the desire to be close to family–it is the very reason that brought us here–from Indiana, no less! We hold fond memories of our life among the good people there, and are confident you will find them too–you are just that kind of person. Bon voyage, and Blessings to you.
We’ve talked a lot of the last three years and I will miss that. Others have already commented about the work you have done. I know personally how much time you have spent as board president–almost a full time job. We’ll keep in touch but know you will be missed.
Oh no! No more bread and cookies! My taste buds bid you a fond farewell and thank you for the delicious memories.
Colleen, Thank you for your beautiful sharing in this blog, and for giving us details of how and why you have made your choice to move. I will miss your wonderful, dedicated, passionate presence here at QUUF. Sending you so much love!
Colleen-
Thank you for guiding us through the last couple of years. Definitely a loss for our fellowship! Best wishes for a smooth transition to the Midwest
I love you, Colleen, and cherish the work we shared with QUUF. I know your efforts to strengthen QUUF’s members’ sense of belonging and safety in this institution of liberal religious beliefs has been continuous. You always strive to empower other leaders –led the Committee Chair Assemblies years ago in a time when leadership development was a big outreach for the Board. Knowing that QUUF will no longer enjoy the benefits you have bestowed us, I am assured QUUF will always be in your heart, as we will hear echos for a long time, “Well, Colleen suggested…..” Go in peace, with a sense of “job well done”, joy in your heart, and adventure in your soul.
Colleen, I am sad to hear of your leaving, but know that circumstances change as we all grow older. It has been such a pleasure to know you and I am better for it. Good luck in your future move and enjoy being near your family.You have contributed so much to QUUF. You will be missed. Much love to you, Phyllis Waldenberg
oh, Colleen, i’m so sorry to hear you will be leaving us! thank you for all your service and your lovely, singing, good-hearted presence. you will be missed!
I can only say thank you Colleen. Your leadership, dedication, and tireless work ethic have been deeply appreciated. As a member of your outgoing Board, three cheers, bravo, and best of wishes for a very satisfying and rewarding future!
Thank you for your services and best wishes in your new home. We at QUUF are the better for you.
Take care and stay healthy, Lou
P.S. I have been an UU member for over 40 years and a paid staff member for 10 (Seattle UUC). I know the “behind the scenes” work that goes into a leadership role
Saying farewell is such sweet sorrow. Jo and I will miss you and your smile and energy and considerable musical talents. Life beckons in ways we cannot fathom at times and must learn to keep on keeping on. We wish you well in your new home and the 4 seasons that comes with it. Our loss is certainly their gain. Via con Dios! Sincerely, A&J
I’m sending you blessings to help you on your way. I will miss you. You were a good Board President`
Dear Colleen – It’s been a privilege and a pleasure to know you. It’s sad to imagine Port Townsend and QUUF without your presence. Indiana and your family will be the winners – and we the losers in your departure. My best wishes for your happiness in your new home.
Love, Lorrell
Colleen, I feel a special loss because we have failed to make an in person connection. I know your Detroit roots are very close to mine, having grown up in northwest Detroit, attended WSU and the downtown, Church of Our Father UU Church throughly marriage there in 1969. Missed ships. Wishing you well in your new adventures. We are also here to age in place near our children and extended family. We are now at 431 Sunset, here in Cape George.
Colleen, you will be missed. It has been so wonderful to know you and you are irreplaceable. You have helped shape QUUF. The good thing is that you have family to go to. But, it is a personal loss for me and the community.
Oh, Coleen, what a force you’ve been in this Fellowship community and the larger Port Townsend community these past years!! I so admire all the talent and work you have given to all of us. I am saddened to hear of your move, but understand that this is a path many of us will be forced to take as we age, but not in this place, and need to be closer to family. You will move and leave this history behind, but I am wishing for you a new situation and life that recognizes all the special gifts you still have to offer, and have so freely given to us.
Colleen, Colleen, Colleen! I’m so sorry about your eyes and that you have to leave this town. You have been a treasure for us here. All those beautiful years. And now family and health calls. Thank you for being such a YOU. Love, Maureen
So sorry to see you go. We will miss you.