Minister Emeritus - Dick Stennett
Recent developments in my battle with Lymphoma have forced me to make one of the most difficult decisions of my life. In order to conserve my energy for healing, I find it prudent to resign my position as Consulting Minister of UUCSV to be effective January 31, 2006. I will in a few weeks be engaging in a yet to be determined treatment program the side effects of which will sideline me for an undetermined period of time. During this process I need to focus my attention and energy on getting well. The option of taking a leave of absence, which I seriously considered, would carry with it a continued concern on my part over what is best for UUCSV during a time when I feel the need to be relieved from such concern. As tempting as it is, this option is not viable. For my own well being, the time has come for me to close this most beautiful chapter in my life. You have given me a gift full of wonder in allowing me to re-enter the ministry for a few years within a community that offered me the freedom to "dance in the dark" with you. It has been for me a delightful dance that has stretched my mind and heart as I sought to challenge yours, and I shall carry with me many of those "forever" memories. I leave with one request, that if anyone has a desire to express some appreciation to me for my efforts to be of service, please offer that expression in the form of a renewed commitment to the continued life and ministry of this beautiful religious community. Nothing could please me more than to see you thrive. I love you all ... Dick
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The Rev. Dick Stennett served four Baptist churches during twenty years of parish ministry. In 1986, he and his wife Elaine moved to the Asheville area where Dick worked as on-call chaplain at several area hospitals and for several years as a group facilitator at Life After Cancer. In 1993, Dick and Elaine discovered Unitarian Universalism and joined the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville. In November of 2003, Dick began serving as our Consulting Minister, helping with and conducting services and providing pastoral counseling.