Minister Search Team Announcement 23 March 2025

 

We are happy to confirm that our church does have a minister search team and we have already met three times.

At the direction of the board, using the budget approved by the congregation, we are searching for half-time credentialed contract Minister who will provide meaningful Sunday services and help us work on the areas identified by the Hope for Us process. Here is a link to the action areas we are engaging with, with our partners in Hope for Us and the Pacific Western Region of the UUA:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WEvtjEJVMd4P1dJ8wHtWKZsEJpETE_txPtN7ARREFI0/edit?usp=sharing

Our job advertisement is live on the UUA minister applicant portal.

Thus far, while no one has applied, we are encouraged that there has been a trickle of interest.

Over the past year, we have struggled with the reality that we are a much smaller congregation (with fewer children). During this period we have gradually accepted that our needs and resources have changed and are making the transition to half-time ministry.

What does the congregation hope the minister will focus on in the next ministry partnership? We are putting together a survey to get input from the Congregation. We would like to build on the momentum of honest discussion and collaborative relationships that have begun to (once again) take root.

Each minister (indeed each of us) has unique gifts to share. We’re not perfect and we don’t expect a minister to be perfect. While our focus is on reimagining worship and providing both fun and enriching programming, we hope to learn and grow in partnership so that we become better stewards of this remarkable and essential congregation.

This congregation is special.  As a community we know what it is to love and be loved, to have work that matters, and many hands to share the labor.  The past few years have been hard but we are still here – and we are slowly but surely building a better version of our beloved church.

We intend to have frequent informational updates. Updates will be announced during the church service, published in our weekly newsletter, and posted on a bulletin board in the foyer.  Our team is committed to being as transparent as possible about the process, though there are parts of our search that must remain confidential.

Search Team Members

Laurel Zeri (chair)

Laura Goemans

Nan Porterfield

Janice Davis

Dan Carpenter

Gabe Tiogangco