Ollie, who has been working with TCL for a few years -important ones!- has made it possible for us to deepen and widen our mission here at TCL. At first, Ollie took on tasks like bookkeeping, blog curating, and communicating messages I wanted expressed in our weekly mailchimp. Even when Ollie met challenges, or even just did not prefer to do the tasks before him, he persisted. He found ways to be resilient. He gathered new tools; he got resourceful. These characteristics are the mark of the kind of faith leaders we need in this era of change in and around our religious institutions. People who believe in a mission and will open themselves up for discomfort and growth in service to something they believe serves God and all our neighbors.
Over time, Ollie invented our wonderful social justice block. He honed his interview skills as he found his rhythm with blog curation. Ollie shifted from a visitor at dialogues to a vital participant in our community. He built friendships and bridges he didn't expect, and that made our community thrive all the more. In the last couple of years, Ollie's contribution to community care has been paramount for all of us. His pastoral and editorial skills both have helped TCL meet this challenging pandemic season, harnessing our experimental nature to care creatively, undeterred by challenges which might invite us to sink. Ollie knew TCL could instead rise to the occasion, and he contributed with that conviction at heart. We have all benefited from this in TCL's community, directly and otherwise.
Most tender to my heart is that before Ollie joined TCL's work, I mostly toiled alone as I tried to grow our mission. Ollie has become beloved to our community, and in addition to being beloved to me, he is my right hand. He is my teammate on an absolutely wild journey.
There are many aspects of who Ollie is that made it possible for me to trust him so implicitly with TCL's mission in his work and presence with us. He is enjoyable to be around; he is heartfelt and sincere in how he navigates the world. He is insightful and open-minded. He is compassionate and a lifelong learner, even when it is difficult to stretch into compassion and empathy of the diverse perspectives we embrace here. Most precious to me in a work companion has been and continues to be his integrity. Ollie is committed to living a life of integrity, and that has allowed me to both fully trust Ollie's work and freely enjoy Ollie's good -and fun!- company. Ollie integrates his wisdom and faith into all aspects of life, professional and personal; he stands as an example of someone to never take for granted, especially as a friend and neighbor.
Ollie is not saying goodbye to TCL; he is still an active part of our community. But his role with TCL on a weekly basis is changing, and that is why we are commemorating with thanks and farewells to his role as we have known it. Three years may not seem like much to some, but when it changes the way an organization can move and breathe in this world, every one of those days counts big.
Thank you for each and every one of those days, Ollie. I cannot wait to do more dialoguing and facilitating with you, to share your gifts with our community in new ways and to continue to enjoy your good company, and to know I'll be a better person because of you in our lives, in my life.
With immense gratitude,
Carrie