Ordination and Installation of Rev. Cory

This exciting event is taking place at our church on May 5th at 3:00 pm.

What Is an Ordination and Installation?  

Each faith tradition has special ways of celebrating milestones for its clergy and congregations. Whenever there’s an opportunity to acknowledge a key moment in a minister’s professional journey and the life of a congregation, Unitarian Universalists (UUs) celebrate! Ordination is the congregational act of bestowing formal recognition of a minister’s entry into the life of ministry. An installation is the congregational act of formally entering into shared ministry with their professional minister. This agreement between the congregation and minister arises from the call, which is a vote by a congregation at the end of a mutually intensive yearlong search process to ask a minister to become their settled (long-term) minister and the minister’s affirmation (yes) that they accept the call and responsibility to be that congregation’s spiritual leader.

Our special service will recognize both this sacred step in dedication of Rev. Cory to the ministry (ordination), our intention to work with Rev. Cory as our settled minister (installation) and party (reception) that will occur on Sunday, May 5th at 3:00 pm is an opportunity for us —Rev. Cory and the UU Congregation of Marin—to embrace our commitment to shared ministry and the journey that ensues from this partnership! This is why we are inviting everyone to celebrate with us as you are able: from 0 to infinity; in-person or by zoom; friends, family, and community members. Childcare, if needed, will be available.

What Happens at the Ordination and Installation Ceremony?  

The Ordination and Installation Ceremony is a worship service that will have familiar liturgical elements, but it will also be more elaborate and include special rituals that aren’t included in a regular Sunday service. Below are a few of the rituals that will occur in this service:

• Procession – That’s right! You’ll see Rev. Cory and a flock of robe-wearing ministers entering at the back of the sanctuary and making their way through Fellowship Hall at the beginning of the ceremony. And they’ll recess out the same way at the end!
• Act of Ordination – The verbal promises of the minister, his family and friends, and congregation entering a covenant of ministry, led by the congregation’s president. 
• Act of Installation – The verbal promises of the minister, and congregation entering a covenant of shared ministry, led by the co-chairs of the service. 
• Gift of a Stole -The congregation presents a special stole to the minister. 
• Laying on of Hands – An ancient rite in which participants make an embodied invocation of the interconnectivity of the community, symbolically conferring upon the installed minister the sacred trust and responsibility of the office. 
• Charges – Words of encouragement and blessing will be offered to both Rev. Cory and the congregation to lift up the high purpose of the commitments we have made, and strengthen us for the challenges we will face together.

Will there Be A Party?

Yes, there will!  After the installation ceremony, please join us for a reception in the Fireside Room and Courtyard.  Savory and sweet finger foods will be served. There might even be an after-party dance session in Fellowship Hall for those who really want to kick up their heels.

Will There Be Enough Parking?

We expect that the parking lot will be full for this event. Please help us make room for all of the guests by carpooling, if possible. There will be two parking lot volunteers who will help us make as many cars as possible fit. Please follow their instructions. There will also be a shuttle option that will run between the front of UU Marin and the Park-N-Ride lot at Hwy 101 at the Smith Ranch exit. Save yourself the long walk uphill by parking at the remote lot and get a shuttle ride right to the front door!

Will There Be Reserved Seating?

There will be several rows of reserved seating for the visiting clergy, Rev. Cory’s family, and the service participants. Please arrive early (by 2:45) if you want to make sure you have a seat in Fellowship Hall. There will be overflow seating and a livestream of the service in the Fireside Room.

Will There be a Zoom Option?

Yes! If you can’t be there in person, you can watch the whole ceremony live on Zoom at our regular service link.