I'm planning to attend services in a different city/state next month. Is it considered polite to email the minister ahead to let them know? Thanks!

I've been going to a UU church for about a year and a half. It's a small congregation. In this whole time, I've said about 5 sentences to the minister. The minister is a lovely person. Kind, intelligent, sensitive, etc. Very open to new people. But, as the song says, it's me, hi, I'm the problem. Religious leaders intimidate me badly. I was raised Catholic. We were pretty sporadic in attendance but I have no memory of talking to the priest in any casual manner. I'm a very friendly, confident, and outgoing person but, when I last tried talking with the reverend, I had actual tears in my eyes from embarrassment. Any advice? Any similar experiences? I would love to get past this. Thanks!