SABBATICAL MINISTER’S HOURS, ETC. AS REV. MCCARTY SETTLES IN

Omaha Skyline over the Gene Leahy Mall (Photo Credit: Visit Omaha)

I arrived in Omaha the last Sunday evening in August, and have been finding my way

around the town—and your building—ever since. My goodness, y’all certainly do some

road construction in this town! But you also have some fascinating and walkable

neighborhoods, which more than makes up for it.

My better half, Kate, will visit me in October. Hopefully, I’ll know your town well enough

by then to show her some interesting sights. (The Lauritzen Gardens is already high on

the list.) If folks have suggestions for places a couple of out-of-staters might want to

explore, I will definitely lend an ear.

Rev. Juniper Meadows is your pastoral care minister during Rev. Woodbury’s

Sabbatical. But if I’m to be your pulpit minister for the next couple of months, it also

makes sense (to me, at least,) that I should have some formal hours: spend some time

hanging around your building, getting to know people a bit, soaking in the atmosphere

and the local vibe.

I will, of course, be in the building on Tuesday evenings for our MUUVIE Nights. That

will begin with German director Fritz Lang’s silent epic, Metropolis, next Tuesday, Sept.

9. I hope to meet folks then, enjoy popcorn and the movie, and have interesting

discussion afterwards.

On thinking it over, though, I’ve also decided to have office hours in the building from

12 noon till 4 pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Monday will be my day of rest, and Friday will be reserved for writing. I’ll be around other times, as well, of course, but not on a set schedule.

I have been fascinated with people all my life. I have often noted that I became Unitarian Universalist, many years ago, not least because Unitarian Universalists tend

to be interesting people. This has held true for the First Church members I’ve met thus

far. I have no doubt whatsoever that it will continue to be true with other folks I meet

during my stay with you.