On May 20, 2007, the voting members of Wildflower Church called the Reverend Eliza Galaher to serve as the church’s first full-time minister. Since 1999, becoming a minister-served church has been the congregation’s dream, a dream reinforced when the congregation adopted its 2006-2009 Strategic Plan, which identified calling a minister as the congregation’s first priority.
Throughout the Candidating Week, excitement grew as Reverend Galaher met with the Board, the Social Action Committee, the Committee Council, the Worship Committee, the Elder Covenant Groups, the Membership Committee, and the Children’s/Youth Religious Education Committee. It continued when Rev. Galaher mingled with members and friends at the all-church pot luck on
May 19th, hosted by Betty and Dan McCreary.
On June 10, Rev. Galaher was ordained at the Third Unitarian Church of Chicago. Kathy Murphy and Jan Austin, representatives from Wildflower attended to officially accept Eliza’s charge to serve our church. Her ministry at Wildflower begins on August 1, and she will grace our pulpit for the first time on August 5.
The more than nine-month search involved many people other than those on the Search Committee, including everyone who completed the congregational survey, contributed to the information packet, which was sent to all interested ministers, and adjusted their schedules to participate in meetings held during the Candidating Week. Kathy Murphy said, “The members of the Search Committee deeply appreciated the support congregants provided during the search. We felt it throughout, and we were grateful for it to the end.”
A few congregants may feel some apprehension about this new chapter in Wildflower’s history because it will no doubt bring some changes. Please remember Rev. Galaher is committed to shared ministry.
This church consists of members who volunteered when needed, took the mantle of leadership when asked, and worked to make Wildflower the strong church it is. That identity will only be strengthened as our dream of becoming a minister-served Unitarian Universalist church in South Austin becomes true.
Start Up Weekend
Sometime during the fall, a representative from the Southwest District will visit Wildflower Church to conduct a start-up weekend, during which the minister, the Board, the Search Committee, and committees will work together to plan for a successful shared ministry.