Rev. Aileen Fitzke’s Installation

It took a lot of people to make this day possible. So, I include some Gratitudes:

• To the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Sterling who took a chance on a newly minted minister and have made me feel so welcome.
• To the Search Committee of UUCS that interviewed me and thought I was worth a gamble: Yvonne Centala, Terry Dick, John Botts, Mark Lorenz, Bill Roman, Mary Matheny
• To my staff:
  — Administrator, Jenny Wolfer who keeps me on track and whose administrative and tech skill simply allow miracles to happen;
  — Rachael Roman my Religious Education Coordinator who reads my mind and has the uncanny ability to pick the most beautiful, poignant stories to complement my sermons;
  — Julia Stubbs, my Music Director, who creates wonders with a small but enthusiastic choir and whose hymn videos are small works of art and who we will miss next year as she moves on to bigger and better things.
• To my Worship Team:
  — Worship Associates: Rosalie Clavez, Kim Fitzgerald, Denise Dittmar, Mark Lorenz, Albert Pucio
  — Accompanist Extraordinaire: Mary Matheny
  — jUUstUUs: The most versatile, creative rock band a minister could hope for especially Bryan George who pulls them all together, Kris Adams, who, during this time of virtual services, has produced beautiful videos and Karl Fitzke, Bryan George and Scott Zeiter who mix the music all together. And the musicians (at one time or another), Kris Adams, Janine Straubhaar-Jones, Karl Fitzke, Scott Findley, Paul Roche, Bryan George, Dave Lum, Scott Zeiter, Mark Lorenz.
  — Live Stream Operators: Bryan George, Albert Pucio and Bill Roman without whom this virtual more-than-a-year would not have gone as smooth at it has.
• To the UUCS Pastoral Care Team, Bonnie Lepoff, Terry Dick, Denise Lorenz who take such good care of the congregation and me and without whom I would lose track of all those who need help.
• To Stanley, my minister’s support group, including Rev. Wayne Arnason, Rev. Doug McCusker who monthly hold a safe space and have really helped me as I navigated by first couple years of ministry and especially Rev. Dr. Pippin Whitaker, Rev. Charlotte Lehmann and Rev Dr. Julie Kain who jumped in when I said I need help with my Installation.
• To Rev. Dr. Julie Kain, who thankfully said yes when I asked her to mentor me through Preliminary Fellowship.
• To the Chesapeake UUMA Leadership Team, Rev. Rob Keithan, Rev. Christin Green, Rev. Karen Scrivo, who have helped me find my way in UUMA chapter leadership, especially Rev. Diane Teichert, whose historical memory of the chapter fills me with awe and who agreed to help in the service today.
• To Interns and More, my seminary friend support group, who, though many of us are not longer Interns, still provide support and friendship.
• To Rev. Douglas Taylor, who supervised me during my internship and was very patient with my many questions and who kindly consented to do the sermon today.
• To Susan Hahm, who, along with her husband Chuck, befriended my family when we entered our first Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and whose love and encouragement made it impossible not to stay. And especially to Susan who can sing “Amazing Grace” with such depth that it makes me cry every time I hear her sing it.
• To my husband Karl and my two sons, Nick and Joe, who have been so supportive in helping me realize my dreams.