In April of 2022, a fictional story about a search for a minister was published. The name of the novel is Search and the author is Michelle Huneven. Although fictional, the book is based on Huneven’s experiences at Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena, California. Some events the author describes actually took place. I was at one, the installation of a new minister in February 2005.  

“The installation happened at the end of Tom’s first year. His friends and colleagues came from all over to honor and exhort him before his new church. Tom’s best friend preached, his old mentor led the opening prayer, and the AUUCC’s own minister emeritus — Sparlo Plessant — delivered the ‘charge,’ a brief, eloquent instruction to the new minister. This was Sparlo’s first post-retirement appearance at the AUUCC after the traditional two-year banishment. Although Tom’s best friend preached for a full twenty minutes, I can’t remember a thing he said. Sparlo, on the other hand, spoke for under three minutes and nobody has forgotten a word. He said that having given much thought to ministry over the years, he had reached a single conclusion: ‘A minister’s sole sacred duty is to stand watch — and shoot predators on sight.’”

Tom is my friend Jim Nelson, now retired in California. The sermon was by my friend Michael McGee, now retired in Sarasota, and I do remember it. It was very good. Sparlo Plessant was my friend Brandoch “Brandy” Lovely, who died in 2010. Brandy said that ministry is about love, which is why people become ministers, but that surviving in the ministry while serving a congregation is about the careful, ethical use of power. I do not remember the “shoot predators” quote. I think Michelle Huneven made that up.

As you look for summer reading, you might consider Search. It is an easy, fast read, both funny and sad, with many ideas about what not to do as you look for a new settled minister.

Rev. Roger Fritts, Interim Minister of UUCDC