The Lead Minister Search Team is excited to share that we are approaching a meaningful and hopeful milestone in our journey together. We are doing our best to sit calmly with that excitement.
As this process has unfolded, we have spent a great deal of time listening, both within the team and across the congregation. Through the congregational survey, searching circles, and small group conversations, we’ve gathered a rich picture of the hopes, priorities, and vision that matter most to you. Those insights have been at the heart of every decision we’ve made along the way (and have been revisited more than once, just to be sure we were really hearing you right).
In recent weeks, we had the privilege of meeting with three remarkable candidates. Each brought unique gifts, strengths, and a clear sense of calling. We were deeply impressed by all of them, and we want you to know that this was not a process of finding “the only good fit,” but rather of discerning among several strong possibilities – which is a good problem to have, even if it meant some very full conversations.
After thoughtful conversation, careful reflection, and a great deal of heart-centered discussion, we reached consensus as a team on our ranking of candidates. This consensus did not come quickly or lightly, it came through respectful listening, honest sharing, and a shared commitment to the well-being and future of this congregation. We are confident that the candidate we match with is someone who reflects what you have asked for and what this congregation needs in its next chapter.
While there are still important steps ahead before we can formally introduce our candidate, we anticipate being able to share more information with you on or after April 1 (and no, it’s not an April Fool’s joke, we checked).
We will formally announce our candidate for settled minister on Sunday, April 5 during service.
From there, we will move into Candidating Week (April 19–26). This is a special and important time when the congregation will have the opportunity to meet and engage with the candidate in meaningful ways. The candidate will lead worship on April 19 and April 26, and additional opportunities to connect throughout the week will be shared soon.
A congregational meeting to vote on calling the candidate as our next lead minister will be held after the second service on April 26. While absentee ballots will be available, all members are strongly encouraged to attend so we can reach quorum (and because being together for this moment matters).
As we reflect on this phase of the process, we also want to share something from within the team itself. This work has required vulnerability, trust, and care. We have shown up for one another with all three. The way this team has communicated, held differences, and stayed grounded in shared purpose has been something truly special. We are deeply grateful for one another, and for the opportunity to serve in this way. Truly, we could not have asked for a better group of humans to do this work with.
We step into this next phase with excitement, humility, and hope (and maybe just a little bit of “we can’t believe we’re here already”). We truly believe that the minister we bring forward is someone who will meet this congregation with care, vision, and partnership.
More soon! We cannot wait to introduce you.
In shared purpose,
The Lead Minister Search Team
