Congregational Care
It is with great excitement and gratitude that the executive team introduces the Rev. Karen Gustafson who will serve Unity Church as our Interim Minister of Pastoral Care. Karen will begin her time with us in mid-August, and looks forward to connecting with the congregational care team and getting to know the congregation.
Rev. Karen Gustafson served her internship at Unity Church from July 1 to December 31 of 1984. She returns after nurturing the seeds of that experience for 21 years at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth; six years as associate minister at the First Unitarian Society of Madison, Wisconsin; and interim ministries at Michael Servetus Unitarian Fellowship of Fridley and The Unitarian Church of Evanston, Illinois. She has been recognized for her collaborative and empowering approach to engaging congregations in transition, her use of story as a path to personal and institutional transformation, her calm and steady presence, her sense of humor, and her “big picture” perspective. She is also known to play well with others and is excited about engaging with the Unity staff and especially Rev Kathleen in what promises to be a challenging and rewarding endeavor.
Rev. Karen Gustafson served her internship at Unity Church from July 1 to December 31 of 1984. She returns after nurturing the seeds of that experience for 21 years at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth; six years as associate minister at the First Unitarian Society of Madison, Wisconsin; and interim ministries at Michael Servetus Unitarian Fellowship of Fridley and The Unitarian Church of Evanston, Illinois. She has been recognized for her collaborative and empowering approach to engaging congregations in transition, her use of story as a path to personal and institutional transformation, her calm and steady presence, her sense of humor, and her “big picture” perspective. She is also known to play well with others and is excited about engaging with the Unity staff and especially Rev Kathleen in what promises to be a challenging and rewarding endeavor.
Congregational Care comes in many forms at Unity Church. It might be a comfort shawl knitted by a church member to wrap around your shoulders when you are ill or reeling from life’s troubles. Or maybe it’s a caring call or visit, a meal, a ride or a thoughtful card that comes your way when you were hurting, recovering or grieving. Or maybe it’s a support group where you can share with others who are also on a journey of grief or caregiving or living with a loved one with mental health challenges.
All these, and more, are examples of congregational care offered by Unity’s ministers and lay members on the Care Associates Team. We accompany church members and friends living through difficult times and, in our congregational life, we nurture the loving and healthy interdependence on which true justice and right relationship depend. To Request Congregational Care Do you have a concern or joy you wish to have shared in Sunday worship? Would you like to request a call from the minister or a Care Associate? Can the Helping Hands program support you with meals, rides or other assistance? Please let us know. Use the form on this page, email pastoralcare@unityunitarian.org, or call 651-327-0790. 
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