Farewell from Tim Brown

April 2, 2011

To my many friends and colleagues in the United Church of Christ, and in the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns:

I have sincerely enjoyed serving as the Youth and Young Adult Coordinator since 1997.  In these 14 years, the Coalition’s youth program has given too many workshops to be counted.  Print materials have been created, as well as electronic, as well as numerous workshops created.  Safe Space is now a regular part of UCC youth gatherings.  I have met and worked with youth and young adults across the denomination, and have learned of their stories, their struggles and pain, their joys and celebrations.  There have been phone calls, letters, emails, and instant messages. I have met and worked with many youth ministers, both staff and volunteer, local church, association, and conference staff, and campus ministers and chaplains.  We have forged relationships with our sister UCC organizations, and stepped into the secular and ecumenical realms as well. 

I have found this work to be incredibly satisfying, and will always cherish the young people who have shared with me.  Youth and young adults are, in fact, why I have engaged in this ministry.  To them, and to all, I offer heartfelt thanks.

As I pursue ministry in other directions, I offer these two closing thoughts both to the United Church of Christ, and to the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns.  The first is that the energy of the spirit will sustain our work.  The second thought is a belief that has driven my ministry.  I believe that no sexual or genderal minority young person should ever feel anything less than fully loved by God.

I wish the Coalition well, and pray that its life-affirming ministries are continued.

Dr. Timothy Brown,
Commissioned Minister
Youth and Young Adult Coordinator