Here is the resignation letter Rev. Sam Teitel sent to the congregation on April 22:
My friends,
On Tuesday, April 15th, I met with the Church of the River’s board of Trustees and we had a difficult but necessary conversation. We all agreed that our church is not thriving – Sunday morning attendance and annual giving have not made it back to where they were before the COVID-19 pandemic, as is common throughout liberal churches in our country. Furthermore, the survey that was sent out to some current and former church leaders in the summer of 2023 made it clear that some members of the congregation disagree with the direction in which I have been attempting to lead the church. During my ministry I have been focused (perhaps too focused) on increasing diversity amongst our members and staff and on advocacy for justice in our community and in our world. This focus has struck a chord with some of our membership, but has clearly left others feeling left out and unseen. That was never my intention, but it was the result at least some of the time.
Over my recent sabbatical I reflected and meditated on my ministry and on the state of The Church of the River, and on what my role in the future of the congregation could and should be. On my first day back from sabbatical I met with our church board’s president and vice president, along with a Good Officer from the Unitarian Universalist Minister’s Association. In that meeting I told them that I saw two paths towards healing and success for the congregation. The first was to engage with a process of healing and reconciliation created and facilitated by The UUA called Hope For Us. The second was to move towards a negotiated resignation for me. When I met with the board on Tuesday I offered the same choice. The board decided to ask for my resignation, which I have given. I cannot continue to serve if the congregation’s lay leadership would like me to leave.
This is not what I wanted, nor is it how I expected my ministry at The Church of the River to end, but if the last five years have taught me anything it is that we don’t always get what we want or expect. My intention has always been to serve The Church of the River with compassion, honesty and love. I believe that I have done that, at least most of the time. I also believe that over the last eight years together we have had some great successes as well as a few stumbles, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have served this congregation. Thank you, all of you, for doing this crazy thing called church with me for as long as you did.
I will be serving out the remainder of the month of April, giving my last sermon on April 27th. After that I will depart and will not be in contact with members of the church for at least two years and until I reach a covenant with the congregation’s next settled minister, as is the protocol of the Unitarian Universalist Minister’s Association. This protocol is meant to support a smooth transition process for my successor, and I will be abiding by the recommendations of my professional association. Until April 30th I will remain accessible to you and eager to spend time together; I’d be happy to see you at my office hours. My family will be remaining in Memphis for the time being, so in the future you may run into us out and about. If that happens you are welcome to say hello to us and briefly chat if you would like to, but I will no longer be your minister.
Finally, I want to say that the Church of the River is not any one person, including its minister. It is a loving and vibrant community of seekers, and the departure of one person must not make or break the community. The future of the congregation is now in the hands of the congregation’s members, and I am glad for that. I believe that The Church of the River has huge potential to thrive and bloom in the years ahead, and I sincerely hope that it does. I will not be with you, but I will be celebrating your success, wherever I am. I have said and written this so many times before, but it has never been meant more than it does here,
You are beloved.
You are sacred.
You are powerful.
Go in peace.
Thanks and many blessings,
Rev. Sam Teitel
