by Rev. Dr. Dale Azevedo, Sr. Minister
So, Dale, what happens next?
I’ve been asked this question (in various forms) a lot over the past few weeks. It made me realize that no one really knows what my plans are post BCCUCC. A lot has evolved since I announced my retirement in January, and this week’s blog seems like a great place to share the latest news.
Where are you moving to?
Many of you already know that Elizabeth moved away at the end of January. She was offered a wonderful job in the Norwich Public Schools and is now teaching preschool as an early-learning educator. Six weeks in and she’s still alive! Each day is challenging (as only 3 to 4 year-olds can be!) but she has seen a number of successes as well.
With that in mind, Elizabeth and I purchased a home in Lisbon, CT. This is a good location for us as it is a lot closer to my mother, which was a large part of our reasoning for the move at this time. Our home is a small little ranch house located on a dead-end street. We have a little 
over an acre of fenced-in open space for a back yard and are situated across the street from an animal farm (predominately horses, but we’ve seen goats and a cow too!). We are also just down the street from an orchard and berry farm. This is all good as we love animals and the outdoors.
So far, we have repainted three rooms, rebuilt the kitchen from scratch, and replumbed 75% of the house. We have yet to remodel the bathroom (we’re getting help on that one), paint the common rooms, and figure out how to bring heat into the basement. This isn’t even addressing nearly everything that needs help outside! It’s a good thing we are handy, enjoy projects, and generally work really well together (even if we need to engage in a lot of compromise through the process!)
What are you doing for work?
I am excited to share that I received a job offer to do exactly what I wanted to be doing. On April 28, I will begin work as the Fund Development Specialist for the Access Community Action Agency in Willimantic, CT. As the development specialist I will work closely with donors, partner organizations, and local municipalities to procure the support and funding the agency needs to do its outreach.
Access is a sister agency to the East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) here in the Riverside. It is smaller than EBCAP and focuses primarily on helping families dealing housing and food insecurity. It offers walk-in and mobile food pantries, helps with rental and utility assistance, provides affordable senior housing, and works to educate families on personal and home finances. It has an annual budget of roughly $14M (nearly all of it pass-through).
And, yes, we are concerned that the freezes enacted by the federal government threaten many of the agency’s programs. However, the need is great, and even if Access loses all its funding, it’ll have an even greater need for a Fund Development Specialist, right? Right?
What about church?
First, I’m going to breathe. Then Elizabeth and I will find a church family. There are a number of UCC churches throughout the region, each with their own personality. One of the more important decisions we’ll need to make is whether we want to join a church in our immediate community, or one that is a bit larger and more active in justice issues but further away. Fortunately, there seems
to be one pretty close that may check both boxes. We’ll see!
I will need to join a church because being a member of a UCC church is a requirement to maintain standing as an authorized minister in the denomination. Although I am retiring, I would still like to keep my standing. Who knows what God has in store years down the line!
Eventually, once Elizabeth and I get settled in our home and in our new church, I will probably take on some pulpit supply, preaching for other ministers while they are on vacation or away for other reasons. I think that would be fun and keep me in the practice. You know I love to tell a good story!
Anyway, that’s my plan for the future. Right now, I still have seven weeks to enjoy with you.