The Ministerial Search Committee would like to bring to your attention important information about our congregation’s efforts to call a settled minister who will serve us with devotion and distinction. Your participation in this process has been vital throughout, but it will be critically important in the coming weeks.
Ministerial Search Culmination: One of the most important decisions facing our church is in making the call to a new settled minister. The search process, which has been under way for over a year, is nearing its final stages. Next week, the Ministerial Search Committee will provide the name and qualifications of a proposed candidate for minister to the Board of Trustees. The Board will review background information on the individual we recommend and, satisfied that she or he is worthy of consideration for the position of settled minister, will invite the candidate to UNMC.
Candidating Week – March 26-April 2: There will be several occasions during this eight-day period when you will have the opportunity to listen to, meet, and talk with the candidate. The candidate will preach at UNMC on two successive Sundays – March 26 and April 2. Please plan to attend on both dates if you can, but attendance on April 2 is critically important. On that day, we will meet after church to make a decision on whether or not to call the candidate.
In addition to the hospitality hour after Sunday morning service, there will be several gatherings during the week to meet the candidate informally in a relaxed social setting. We plan to hold several evening gatherings (perhaps one each in Maryland, Virginia, and DC) and a Saturday daytime event at the church. The committee is open to your suggestions for additional ways for all of us to get to know our candidate (and vice versa).
Congregational Meeting - April 2: Following brief refreshments after our service on April 2, at roughly 12:30, our candidate will leave UNMC so that the congregation can meet formally to decide whether or not to call the individual as our settled minister. We will return to the sanctuary for a discussion of the candidate where all present will be able to comment. After the discussion, members of UNMC will vote by secret ballot on whether to call the candidate. (According to our bylaws, the minister must be called by a three-quarters vote of the membership present; a quorum of 25 members is necessary.) While we hope both members and friends will participate in the discussion, actual voting is limited to members. Please note: those of you who are members, your presence is critical, since a quorum is required.
My colleagues (Rob Bertram, Clint McCully, Donna Simonton) and I have appreciated all the input, support, and prayers received from you during these many months. While the Search Committee must maintain confidentiality about the individual candidates who applied to be our minister, we would be happy to answer questions about the process used to evaluate candidates and make our final selection.
With your help, we can work as a congregation towards creating a vibrant ministry and growth for UNMC. Please participate actively with us during this final stage of the search.
Liz Crawford, Chair, Ministerial Search Committee
Posted by Sue Mosher at March 13, 2006 10:41 AM