Board of Trustees announcement
May 10, 2022
Dear Members, Friends, Staff, and other interested parties,
The Reverend Kate Lore’s ministry has come to an end at QUUF. Her final day of service was May 4.
Many of you are aware of Kate’s serious injury in February and the complications that followed. Others, seeing Kate’s smiling face in Sunday services and her presence in meetings on Zoom may not be fully aware of the difficulty of her recovery. At this time, Kate is stepping down from QUUF to focus on her recovery. Her message to the fellowship is below.
We, the QUUF Board of Trustees, express authentic gratitude for Kate’s service to QUUF and feel deep concern for her health and healing. We have the utmost respect for Kate’s commitment to social justice, her dedication to the health of the fellowship and her understanding of the plight of marginalized people. She has worked tirelessly over the years, not just at QUUF, but throughout her career, to seek justice for underserved groups and individuals and to speak out when needed.
Kate will follow UUA guidelines that call for her to step away from social ties to congregants, just as she ends her ministry to members of QUUF. While this step may feel abrupt, it is a long-standing practice and an important step in opening a congregation to future ministry. Kate will be happy to say hello when our small town brings her into contact with QUUF-ers, but kindly respect her wishes by not calling, sending emails, or seeking her on social media.
Kate would welcome your farewell wishes in cards that you may wish to send. These should be mailed or delivered to QUUF at 2333 San Juan Avenue, Port Townsend, WA – please send cards by the end of May, and we will arrange delivery.
This transition means QUUF is without a senior minister for the time being. Fortunately, Assistant Minister Kate Kinney has graciously agreed to step up to help our fellowship; she will assume many of the duties of a senior minister.
Please tune in this Sunday, May 15, when Director of Family Ministry Beau Ohlgren and the Rev. Kate Kinney will provide their message On Transition and Healing. They will speak to what personal experiences of transition teach us about new changes we enter, the metamorphosis of communities, and the state of transformation in the world.
Be assured that one of the legacies of the Rev. Kate Lore – a fabulous staff – is looking after the day-to-day operation of QUUF. Staff members will ensure we’ll continue to offer the programs and services that have made QUUF a shining light in our community.
A congregation is only as strong as its volunteer effort. We still need to complete our pledge campaign, establish a budget for next year, elect new officers, and meet the commitments that QUUF has made for itself. There is room for everyone in nurturing a healthy QUUF. Please think about how you will make a difference.
Your board is working with UUA staff to ensure this transition goes smoothly and to move into the future. With the willing help of all of you, we will work through this transition with an emphasis on sustainability and health of QUUF.
Looking after each other creates community. We have full confidence our members will step up with volunteer time and financial resources to allow QUUF to continue to thrive even as we wrestle with difficult issues. It is only through challenges that we find our greatest resilience – and these times are no exception.
With great admiration for a beloved community,
Your QUUF Board of Trustees
Kate Lore Announces Retirement Plans
Seventy-two days. That’s how long it has been since I suffered the trimalleolar fracture that changed my life. Seventy-two days of treatments and therapies, pain medications and wheelchair dependency. Seventy-two days….and still my surgical wounds are no more healed and no less painful than the first week after surgery. In fact, they are worse.
I had originally hoped to retire when QUUF was on the other side of social distancing and governance change. Yet when I awoke on my seventy-second day to a badly hemorrhaging wound, my choice became obvious: I needed to put my health at the very top of my priority list. I want to be able to walk, hike and kayak for many years to come.
So it is with a heavy heart that I share the news that I am taking immediate leave of the QUUF Senior Minister position. I have discussed this decision with the Board of Trustees and they are in full support.
Sadly, there is no time to say good-bye in a more formal way before I go. Please know, though, that I carry many happy memories with me as I take my leave. It has been an honor to take this journey with you.
Professional UU protocols require that I formally stop socializing with QUUF congregants. That includes a requirement that I unfriend you on Facebook. Please take no offense. Just know that this step is required to help you prepare for your next minister. You are an amazing community and I will miss you more than I can express in words.
Please rest assured that I am leaving you in very good hands. You have a devoted Board, a talented staff, a caring Pastoral Care Team, and a wonderful array of highly skilled lay leaders. Your Community Council is organizing a Reconnection Faire on June 4, to which I hope you’ll attend. And your Sunday Services Team is already at work scheduling another summer of interesting and varied speakers.
I am not leaving the area so expect that we’ll run into each other now and then, and that will be nice! Just know in advance that I will not be able to discuss QUUF with you. I wish you all the very best.