From First Parish Dorchester
Terry – Thank you for making this such a moving service today. I felt together with us all even though we were apart!
“Whew, what a year!” I’m sure you had little idea what could transpire when you took us on. I enjoyed working with you and always found you accessible and helpful (and patient with my occasional rants!), but how you stepped up starting in March was nothing short of miraculous. I can’t imagine how we would have kept things together without your fast and calm pivot when this all hit.
“Terry is an energetic, loving source of change. Nothing surprises him, everything interests him, and joy follows him”. Marlene Warner, Chair, Standing Committee, First Church UU in Salem.
Thanks to Reverend Terry Sweetser for his insightful and intrepid help. We deeply appreciate your dedication to our community.
transition, and challenge. Our board has benefited from his wisdom and perspective as he has helped us develop a new (to us) model for both leadership and ministerial partnership.”
“Reverend Terry Sweetser always made himself available and gave us seasoned guidance which was tremendously helpful. He spoke directly, supportively and provided reassurance (without ever telling us what to do, just subtle support). Very importantly, he knew boundaries and we never felt like we were outside them. He was tremendously helpful.” UU Wellesley Search Co-Chair Kathy Coolidge “As a member of our Ministerial Search Committee, I spoke with Rev. Terry Sweetser several times to ask questions and get his perspective on various aspects of the search process. He always made time to listen and provide thoughtful advice while respecting the boundaries of the search process. His experience and support were extremely helpful. During the candidating selection process, Terry made himself available to respond quickly to any candidates who wished to speak with him. We heard from our candidates that they appreciated the time they spent talking with Terry.” Lisa Markey, Search Committee Co-Chair, UU Wellesley
Terry was a helpful catalyst for change during his Interim Ministry with our congregationHe helped us understand what work was needed to prepare for a new minister. He “shook things up” and remained dependably available to church leadership to help us resolve issues that needed to be addressed during the interim period. Elaine Mittell, Board Vice-Chair
“Terry is supremely organized and punctual. He leaves nothing to chance and makes sure everyone involved in the service is comfortable, well-equipped, and prepared. As a result, Sunday’s services come off without a hitch. Staff meetings with Terry are low-key, efficient, and pleasant. He is a creative, upbeat leader who laughs readily and is fun to work with.” Dr. Suzanne Cartreine, UUSWH Music Director
“You have repeatedly referred to yourself as “pre-fired” and “nearly history”, but I want to acknowledge that I consider your interim years a great help to our congregation. Some of the visible things were no-brainers: getting Cyra and Fernando present on Sunday morning, recruiting an exceptional intern. Others are easy for people to overlook, but of lasting value: the sound system in the chapel, better use of social media, shaping an approach that made us more financially robust. Your 2016-17 monthly themes continue to inform how I’m writing my book. Thank you.” Naomi Cameron, Chair Adult Education Committee
“Terry has been an outstanding colleague and mentor at UU Wellesley. He has taught me a great deal about planning and leading worship and helped me to feel confident in leading my first full service earlier this year. He also has a seemingly bottomless supply of resources to draw on for every topic, and a wealth of experience both with crafting services and with navigating the conflicts that inevitably arise in church life. I am very grateful to have worked with him.” Elizabeth R. Foster, Acting Director of Religious Education
“Rev. Terry has an exuberant quality that is both reassuring and contagious. In two short years, he strengthened our existing culture and introduced new elements that have already become tradition He also guided us through an arduous search process while adding to our constituency. He will leave UU Wellesley in a much better state than he found it!” Cyra Coady, Administrator at UUSWH
“You are a game changer and your effect will last years beyond your departure. We are fortunate you chose us and are deeply grateful.” “Totally committed to our congregation’s long-term success!” Roger Anderson, President of the Beacon Unitarian Church in Summit, NJ
“Terry is a mentor, an inspiration, and cheerleader – the best boss ever!” – Former Director of Stewardship, UUA “More than four hundred congregations have sought Terry’s counsel to address issues including growth, transitions, and fundraising.” – Katrina Foster, Director of Development at the Boston Ballet
“Wise, kind and generous. Terry always has audacious ideas about fundraising, philanthropy, financial management, volunteer development, staff management and congregational life.” – Reverend Emily Boggis, Minister of UU Beacon in Summit, NJ.
“Terry is an inspiring preacher with refined worship skills: it’s been a joyful transition!” – Dr. Tuli Patel, Executive Director of UU Beacon in Summit, NJ.
I can say without hesitation that being given the opportunity to complete a unit of Field Education at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Wellesley Hills has been the most important element of my formation and preparation for ministry in the Unitarian Universalist tradition that I have had. I have learned more in this setting than in any classroom, and have been extraordinarily well supported in developing my pastoral presence, authority, and numerous competencies. Thank you, Reverend Terry Sweetser! Contemplating leaving UUSWH in a few short months is quite sad for me – as is losing the regular skilled supervision of Rev. Sweetser, though I hope he will continue to serve as a mentor for me in the future. – Intern Sarah Bellows Meister, now the Reverend SBM.
Thriving Through Transition 