Last week I was reminded once again of how fortunate and blessed I am to be here 
at First Parish Church in Weston.  I wanted you all to know that I thought of 
you fondly, literally thanking God for you on my way home from a meeting. Last 
Wednesday I attended the Mass Bay District meeting of the Unitarian Universalist 
Ministers Association. The most personally affecting moments of the day for me 
came during what are called Small Group Discussions.  I am in (unsurprisingly) 
the Intern/Seminarian Group. Our group's discussion topics included some of the 
problems and issues people were facing in our respective internships. As the 
discussion went on I realized I shared none of the problems and issues raised by 
the other interns. Being male and older than some of the other interns have 
helped me avoid some of the issues they are facing.  That said, I am still 
incredibly fortunate and blessed to be at First Parish Church in Weston.

I am not isolated physically, spiritually, or emotionally.  I have been given an 
office in close proximity to other staff members, so that I often don't even 
need to pick up a phone to communicate with them.   Although there may be some 
religious and spiritual diversity on our staff, it is never an issue or 
stumbling block for working together to best serve the parish.  I have always 
felt personally supported by everyone on the staff both in my work and in what 
is going on in my personal life. 

I have no complaints about my supervisor.  I have met few people in my life with 
more integrity and more concern for those around him than Tom Wintle. He has 
shepherded me through a difficult and administratively labor intensive process 
with kindness, compassion, and wisdom.

I can honestly say that First Parish Church is a teaching parish.  The intern 
committee has given me unwavering support, honest criticism, and provided 
friendship on the journey. Every staff member, committee, parent, volunteer and 
young person with whom I have worked has treated me the same way: as an intern 
minister, not as a student.  I have been granted the freedom to learn by being a 
minister, by being allowed to both succeed and to make mistakes.  This is the 
life of a true teaching congregation.  

My internship is not yet finished and I do not know how my interview with the 
Ministerial Fellowship Committee will turn out, although I expect it to go well.  
Whatever happens from this point on, however, I can honestly say to all of you 
at First Parish that you've done all you could and done it well.  I couldn't 
have had it any better.  Thank you and God bless you for being my teaching 
congregation.

Peace,
Tony Lorenzen