Covenant of Commitment for a Ministerial Intern

Rev. Natalie Fenimore extends a hand to welcome a new UU minister to fellowship at the 2013 Service of Living Tradition.

This has been published with "they" pronouns; please use the most fitting pronoun in your own setting.

Minister:
I call (intern name) to the pulpit.
Congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Church of (name), we have begun a new thing by bringing (intern) into our midst, to learn the practice of parish ministry and to stretch and grow with us. As we assume the mantle of a Teaching Congregation it is up to each of us to offer (intern) support and compassion as she grows into the visionary minister they have been called to be. It is up to us to create the safe container where they can succeed and fail, where they are free to create a ministry here with you.

Congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Church of (name), will you give generously of your time, wisdom, and compassion? Will you trust yourselves and (intern) and dare to engage fully in this internship? Will you keep hearts and minds open to the gifts they bring to this congregation? If so, please answer with an enthusiastic “We will!”

Will the internship committee please rise in body or spirit?
Thank you for your commitment to (intern) and to the process of growing a minister in our midst. Will you give generously of your time, wisdom, and compassion? Will you mentor (intern) as they grow into the visionary minister they have been called to be? Will you help us to create a safe container where they can succeed and fail, where they are free to create a ministry here with us? If so, please answer with an enthusiastic “We will!”

May we enter into this relationship with humility and compassion, openness and curiosity. May it be so. Amen.