I have to say that this is an odd time to be starting a new job…or maybe it’s an amazing time to start a new job.  I think it’s one of those things that varies depending on how you look at it. 

There is a typical routine to starting a new education job like this one.  Usually new staff members are introduced to the congregation during a service or platform, spend time getting to know congregants during coffee hours and attend meetings and classes, and generally spend time within the space and life of the group in order to get a feel for everything.  

This is hard now.  Not only are WES’ platforms and meetings virtual, but we are also between leaders.  In July there is work to be done and people to meet, but the details about how to do this remain up in the air.   Like most of life right now, there just aren’t any directions!  In order to come up with a vague plan I’ve chatted with colleagues, talked with WES staff, and made some plans to connect over the next few weeks.  

I imagine our SEEK year will be similar.  For many, the school year is still up in the air: when will school start?  Will we attend virtually or in-person?  Will this change during the year?  As we look toward the next 12 months, we have to imagine a world that looks unlike our “normal”.  There will be no return to our February 2020 lives.  We have no control over this situation – but we do have control over how we choose to engage.  

In the coming weeks I plan to meet with staff, families, and the SEEK committee to begin planning a year for our children and youth.  Because of our “new normal” caused by COVID, and my recent arrival at WES, we have the freedom to really stretch our wings and try some new ways of connecting.  We can decide WHAT is most important for our children to receive (and give) from their engagement with SEEK.  We can try new meeting times.  We can explore the ideas of race and injustice in a frank and honest way.  We can create a program and a culture that works for us during this time of transition, both within WES and in the wider world.  

We are living through a time that can be both incredibly boring (if you ask my children) but also incredibly stressful.  We can choose to fight the change or embrace it.  In terms of my new DLL job, I’m going to do my best to embrace the ambiguity of these next two weeks (and beyond) and see what happens.  I’m hoping you will join in and we can work to create positive change together.  See you (virtually) soon!

–Lara