I have been offered and have accepted the job of Acting Director of HOPE For Us: Conflict Engagement. I am excited about this opportunity and honored to have been asked to serve in this capacity. Rev. Dr. Hope Johnson and I had been working together on the idea of this program for several years. The opportunity to work on that vision is a privilege.

The HOPE in the name of the program stands both for the Rev. Dr. Hope Johnson as architect and visionary and also for Helpful Open Process Engagement. This process will support Congregational Life Staff as they, in turn, support congregational leaders in difficult times. HOPE For Us will develop a team of trained consultants to serve with Congregational Life staff when congregations need a longer conflict process. HOPE For Us will cross borders. Our goal is for every region to have input to the process and support when they need it.

The Southern Region will now have one Lead - Natalie Briscoe. It has been such a pleasure to work with Natalie as my partner. Together we have accomplished many things. Natalie is brilliant and loads of fun to work with. I will miss sitting across the table from her when a new idea comes into her mind and we begin to work on the details. The Southern Region staff team is an amazing group of talented leaders. Together we have built relationships and trust with one another, congregations, and other UUA staff teams. I am eternally grateful for their energy, passion, and wisdom.

It has also been an honor to serve Unitarian Universalism with the leaders of the Southern Region congregations. It will continue to be an honor to work in this new role. It is only because of the generosity of our congregations that I am able to do the work that I love so much. Thank you all for your support and dedication to our path and the building of the just and loving world.