Minding Boundaries

Yesterday, I made my weekly pilgrimage to Craggy Pinnacle, a hiking destination just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. At 5,892 feet, the weather there can be drastically different from lower altitudes only 15 minutes away. 

That was just the case this past Saturday. A partly-cloudy day at 1:00 pm in North Asheville (which is where I live) turned into a fog-shrouded, somewhat unnerving drive along curvy roads, followed by a torrential downpour upon arriving at the Craggy Pinnacle parking lot. And, still, I was thrilled to be there. 

I am a volunteer on Saturday afternoons for the National Park Service. Our group of 15, known as “Craggy Rovers,” are assigned one shift a week to hike the roughly 3/4-mile steep ascent to Craggy Pinnacle and station ourselves at the top. We Rovers answer questions about the history of the Craggy area, the rare plant life that grows there, and the Blue Ridge Parkway itself. But mostly, we were trained to ask hikers – politely, but firmly – to stay on the trail and inside the observation deck walls. Trampling off-trail not only endangers the life of the trampler, but it also damages the fragile flora that has existed there since the Ice Age. 

When I applied for this position, I was concerned that my lack of botanical or geological knowledge would be a strike against me. Instead, during my interview, the supervising park ranger Caitlin said, “You’re a minister? Perfect!” For her, my ministerial training translated into a potential park volunteer who could be clear, but kind when enforcing policies and boundaries. 

Caitlin and her co-interviewer gave me a few example scenarios of persons violating park boundaries, and asked me how I’d respond. My answers attempted to find that balance between assuming the best intentions of the offender (“You may not have noticed that large “stay on trails” sign at the trailhead.”) and clearly stating the rules (“I’m sorry, it’s against Federal law to operate a drone in a national park.”). I apparently did well enough, as I was admitted to the program in 2019, and I’ve been participating as a volunteer ever since. 

My experience as a congregational minister has, in some important ways, been like my experience as a National Park Service volunteer. It is important for me to be clear about the boundaries – my own and others’ – and not shrink from speaking up about them. It’s also important for me to assume the best intentions when those boundaries are broken, as I know I make mistakes and sometimes overstep my role. 

As your incoming part-time minister, I’m looking forward to serving you. I’m also aware that it is important that I mind the boundaries associated with my role so that I’ll know (and you’ll know) what is and isn’t appropriate for me to handle. 

In my contract with your board, we have agreed that I will do the following:

• Lead worship at UUFH twice a month 
• Support the activities of the Worship Associates team
• Support the activities of the Pastoral Care team
• Support UUFH staff
• Attend monthly board meetings

I’ll have only 20 hours a week to do these things. And, still, I’m confident I can do them well, provided that I stay on the trail and not jump over the wall, so to speak. I’m going to do my best and hope that you’ll assume my best intentions when I make a mistake. 

I’ve always believed that congregational ministry works well when roles are clear and responsibilities are shared. It will be especially important for me to mind my boundaries so that I can contribute to the health of your faith community while you continue your search for a settled minister. 

My first day at UUFH will be Thursday, September 1. My first service will be Sunday, September 18. I’m looking forward to all we’ll share this coming year . . . I’m thrilled to be here!

Warmly,

Rev Terry