The following are excerpts of from letters of recommendation.<\/p>\n
Jim was a positive, creative and energetic team member.\u00a0 He volunteered to plan and lead special events and sections of our weekend retreats.\u00a0 Jim was especially good at sensing the \u201ctone\u201d of each group of adults and youth and adjusting activities to move the groups toward our common goals.<\/em><\/p>\n
As a mentor, Jim brought the best out of each of \u201chis\u201d youth and helped them develop individual credo statements.\u00a0 The strength of Jim\u2019s relationship with the youth that he mentored is displayed by the fact that they invite him to attend significant events in their young adult lives fully ten years after the Coming of Age experience.<\/em><\/p>\n
– Mark Walker, Coming of Age Coordinator, Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
One of Jim\u2019s many strengths and resources, I believe, is that he is quick to laughter, and seems to be blessed with a fundamentally optimistic outlook.\u00a0 While he has acknowledged that this balancing act has been no easy task, he has greeted the challenges with trust in his call, thanks to his spouse and family for their unwavering support \u2013 and faith in his own resilience and commitment.\u00a0 As he has proven, Jim possesses remarkable tenacity.<\/em><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/em>The aspect I would like to lift up most pointedly, however, is the many ways I have seen Jim grow in his ability to seek and deeply, attentively, curiously receive feedback.\u00a0 Being a bright, outgoing, positive man with a string of business-world successes behind him, it would be easy for Jim to \u201ctake up space\u201d and to fill a room with his self-confidence and naturally-gregarious personality.\u00a0 Over the years of his seminary training, I have seen Jim mindfully assess when to use a more tempered tone and posture in a variety of settings.\u00a0 And I have been truly touched by the depth of the questions he and I explored together about how his family of origin and his work experiences have shaped him.\u00a0 I have been very impressed by his openness to deeply listen to my thoughts and observations and explore his own questions and reflections about how his life experiences do (and will) impact his ministry \u2013 and how what might be a growth-edge can be redeemed and reframed into another credential for the life of ministry.<\/em><\/p>\n
– Rev. Dottie Mathews, former Mentor and Associate Minister, Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In the classroom, Jim showed himself to be eager to grow into the best minister he could be.\u00a0 He was well tuned to the needs and sensitivities of his student colleagues, understanding of good process, and able to offer sharp insights and creative solutions.\u00a0 Balancing the enormous pressures of school, internships, family and work, he comported himself with an even temper and an unbridled enthusiasm.\u00a0 Over the years he grew into a perceptive preacher, and adept administrator, caring pastor and aspiring social activist who couches his vocational call in theological terms that speak to all viewpoints and orientations.<\/em><\/p>\n
Jim\u2019s maturity and ministerial suitability were also on display in his work as a student trustee.\u00a0 Student trustees have a difficult territory to traverse, for they must balance their principle duty of care to the Board while remaining accountable to the student body.\u00a0 Jim kept that balance with the best of them!\u00a0 He served as a true bridge for helping each body understand the roles, experiences and viewpoints of the other — even while voicing his own convictions.<\/em><\/p>\n
– Rev. Dr. Lee Barker, President and Professor of Ministry, Meadville Lombard Theological School<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
My ordination<\/a> was filled with friends and beloved colleagues speaking on my behalf.<\/p>\n