Ministerial Search Update
David has accepted our call to serve as a settled minister. This section will be updated soon with more information...
Dear FUSP Friends,
The Ministerial Search Committee is pleased to announce their selection of David V. Leonard as the candidate for our next settled ministry. The following is a brief biography:
"I seek a new challenge in my ministry to achieve a fuller blossoming in a new context and setting.
I cannot imagine a more interesting and creative profession, which is rewarding and involves a diversity of function and performance. Ideally, I seek a diverse mid-sized congregation that is active and involved, supporting each other towards the implementation of total ministry. My wish to find a congregation that wants to reach its potential for developing lay ministry ("shared ministry") and that has active Religious Education program. And lastly, I want a community that appreciates a minister with a sense of humor and has a sense of humor."
David Leonard
Now What? Getting to know the candidate
Candidating Week - April 6th to the 13th
Brief Bio of David Leonard
Beginnings and Education
David is the second child of three siblings and grew up as a Methodist; his father is a Methodist minister. He attended Illinois Wesleyan University and obtained an AB degree in mathematics in 1963, while his father taught history and religion at the school. David's thoughts of teaching college math shifted to philosophy, and religion. With a change in his career path additional study was required in religion, so he attended the Chicago Theological Seminary. It was at this time he met his wife to be, Linda Wiltz. In 1967 he graduated with a BD in Ministry and became an ordained Methodist minister.
From Methodist to UU
After accepting a parish ministry, he realized he could not practice his liberal theological beliefs, so in June 1974 he resigned as a Methodist minister. Despite his strong ties to a Methodist upbringing, he discovered a community that defined his mission, Unitarian Universalism. He quickly received Fellowship into Ministry and in 1977 was called by the Smithton UU Congregation in Pennsylvania. At first he was a little intimidated dealing with supposedly intellectual people. The Smithton congregation was well educated, intelligent, and refreshingly interested in ideas; however, he soon realized they were also sensitive and feeling. It was refreshing to see the openness and warmth of people trying to live their convictions daily. He found a home.
Our very diversity leads us to an appreciation of our common humanity and to an awareness of our common quest.
Second Ministry
In August 1984, he assumed duties as minister at the First Unitarian Church of Lynchburg, Virginia. He became active in inter-faith organizations and events, (which he continues to value). After 8 years the Lynchburg church came to a crossroads. They recognized a healthy potential for growth, but facilities and space were limited. During a visioning process, they concluded that the congregation should devote its resources to acquire additional space, rather than support a full time minister.
Third Ministry
David moved to the UU of Youngstown, Ohio, January 1992. David was pleased to later hear that the Lynchburg congregation subsequently completed construction of a new building and was thriving. In Youngstown he enjoyed a new level of camaraderie and teamwork by having a staff. Quoting David, It's probably fair to say that I matured as a minister, and was able to draw on my prior experience in a way that may not have been possible before. His passions for community activism lead him to work for significant social changes thru an inter-faith social justice group (represented by 25 local churches and temples). Their mission was to affect change by changing laws.
The function of a minister is not to convert people to a certain way of thinking,
but to provoke them to experience life DL
Present Interim Ministry
His ministry met the needs of his congregation, but he sensed a desire for a new challenge, and resigned his position after serving ten years to become an interim minister in Binghamton, NY while looking for another settled position. At Binghamton he gained experience and increased interest in program sized churches and small group ministry.
Theology
As a Unitarian Universalist minister his primary method is to question theology and examine the perspectives of others. He feels meaning emerges from understanding the journeys of others towards a theological and spiritual wholeness. His personal theology is a belief in process theology, or naturalistic theism. Most of the time, he might describe himself as a theist, but does not regard a belief in God as the most important element of theology or religion. He seeks a commonality of perspective with a variety of philosophical and faith traditions. When he disagrees with certain sentiments or beliefs, he tries to give voice to them. As long as we are together in community, relationships continue to grow.
If only for my own interest and involvement, I prefer to study and reflect on a variety of different topics and concerns, and have never been accused of constantly hammering away on a single issue
Leadership.
Davids prefers a style of leadership that facilitates rather than acts assertive or forceful. Since UU congregations encompass a variety of viewpoints on most concerns, achieving consensus it a worthy goal towards building a beloved community. He eschews imposing his views and decisions on groups but sometimes imparts a little of his Methodist authority. However, David uses his talents to engage individuals, letting them set goals and take responsibility to bring fulfillment to the community. Through effective communication he very much values a sense of mutuality and support.
Religious education for children, youth, and adults.
His basic approach is to lend support to the DRE, if needed, and present topics of interest. This includes working with young people, and leading adult education series. He has taught a variety of Adult Education courses, and has worked with coming of age youth and children's worship. He believes it is very important to listen to children. He expects to be present to our youth and children, to get to know them, and to encourage intergenerational events.
Stewardship of the congregation.
David wants to be involved in overall planning and development of fundraising strategies. He wishes to provide workable solutions and does not assume that "it will never work here." In terms of the greater area of stewardship, he feels congregations need financial, and volunteer coordination and the acknowledgment that contributors can never be overlooked.
Family and recreation:
David enjoys reading mystery and espionage novels; writings on quantum physics, paleontology and other sciences. As an active photographer he formally exhibited some of his work. Linda and David enjoy hiking in the woods. He is interested in railroads, including model railroading. David and Linda have two grown children and three grandchildren.
Back to Table of ContentsNow What? Getting to know the candidate
Calling a new settled minister is a long involved process which culminates with a candidating week and a vote on whether to call the minister. The Search Committee has done its part: extensively interviewed the various pre-candidates and chosen the person we believe will best serve our congregation. Now it is time for the rest of you to get to know him and hopefully confirm our decision with your vote to call.
How to get more information:
The parish hall: members of the search committee will be available in the parish hall to answer questions every Sunday until candidating week. Copies of David's sermons and his packet will be available there as well.
Online: The above biography, copies of David's sermons, and information about candidating week are available at our website, www.fusp.org.
March 16th Informational Meeting: Members of the search committee will hold an informational meeting after the service on March 16th to answer questions about our new candidate and about candidating week.
Candidating week will be held from April 6th to the 13th. David will be preaching on both Sundays. There will be a bread and soup lunch on the 6th after the service, and a congregational bring-a-dish dinner on Saturday the 12th. The congregational vote to decide whether to call David as our settled minister will be after the service on the 13th.
Group Meetings
In addition to these congregation wide opportunities to meet the minister, each member will receive an invitation to attend a small group meeting with the candidate. These meetings will be held in volunteer homes at 7:30 in the evening and conclude at 9:30. The format will be:
A gathering time including simple desserts and beverages by church members
A general introduction by a Candidating Week Committee Member
Sit down Q and A with the candidate moderated by the committee member
In addition to the evening groups, three groups have been scheduled during the day as an option for anyone who does not choose to attend during the evening. We hope that all members will choose to take advantage of this opportunity to get to know the candidate by attending one meeting. Switching to a different meeting due to a conflict will be happily allowed but you must RSVP.
Home Cookin'
Some families will have an additional opportunity to get to know the candidate and his wife in a more informal setting. David, his wife Linda, and a member of the search committee will have dinner each night at a different home. This may be an excellent opportunity for parents who can't attend meetings and their children to get to know the candidate.
Children and Youth
Because children and youth are an important part of our congregation, they will also have opportunities to meet the candidate. Our coming of age youth will have a special meeting with David on Saturday afternoon and the kids will get to meet with him before the congregational dinner that evening.
Volunteers
A Candidating week committee has been formed to organize this week. It consists of Doris Lange, Allen Reading, Angela Hank, Peter Jones, Pat Jones, and Grace LaForge.In order to make candidating week a success this Committee will need help. Anyone willing to volunteer by hosting a Home Cookin' dinner or a meeting in your home, or helping with the congregational lunch or Bring-a-Dish dinner please contact Doris or Allan. Of course, the most important way you can contribute is by getting to know the candidate, attending the Congregational Meeting on the 13th, and casting your vote to call our new minister.
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