Dear Friends,
The search for our Interim Senior Pastor has proved more lengthy than originally anticipated. We have had several very talented candidates but have not yet been successful in finalizing a contract with any. This means that we return this fall with the opportunity to open our pulpit to a diversity of inspiring voices, and to welcome friends old and new to our sanctuary while we continue to search for the person God is calling to us for our interim period.
The Committee met this week with the local leadership of both the UCC (Area Conference Minister, Rev. Alex Shea Will) and ABC (Samuel Stillman Baptist Association leader, the Rev. Dr. Loretta Saint-Louis). They have assured us that both our profile and our process are strong and they remain confident that we will find the interim pastor who is right for us. We have made some adjustments to our profile – welcoming Dr. Mijin Choi as our Music Director and updating the benefits section – and are continuing our active search.
You may be wondering, “why not just offer Amy the role?” Indeed, our beloved Pastor Amy is talented and is every day demonstrating her skill in providing compassionate leadership during this transitional time. While this thought is very tempting, we remain committed to the interim process.
As a reminder, UCW has valued the interim periods between settled pastors as a time for reflection and renewed dedication to our ideals and goals. Both the UCC and ABC denominations strongly favor the use of interim ministry as the most certain way to assure a successful transition of leadership. From the UCC: “Interim time is a crucial time in the life of a congregation. It’s an important time to reflect on where the church has been and where it is going. To prepare for the next chapter in the life and ministry of the church this is a pivotal time to discover “Who we are?”, “Who is our neighbor?”, and “What is God calling us to do and to be?” Finding this crystal clarity is pivotal to an effective search process for the next pastor, as well as a healthy, faithful and effective start in the church’s next chapter.” (https://www.sneucc.org/interimministry)
And from ABC USA: “{The goal of Transitional Ministry is} tapping the potential of transition times. Helping churches renew after the loss of a pastor. Assessing the congregation’s strengths and weaknesses. Helping reset healthy patterns for operations and relations. Finding satisfaction in preparing the church for its next pastor.
“Thus says the Lord who makes a path in the mighty waters…
‘Behold I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?’”
(Isaiah 43: 16, 19)” (https://www.abc-usa.org/transitionministries/)
After all, the Rev. Rob Asinger and Ned Allyn Parker brought us to the point where we were able to call the Rev. Stacy Swain as our pastor 11 years ago. And we are so grateful to them!
This Committee remains dedicated to bringing an Interim Senior Pastor to UCW who can lead us through our time of introspection while also nurturing Pastor Amy’s growth and the church’s development.
In the meantime, know that we are meeting faithfully, keeping you in our prayers, and welcoming your thoughts and questions.
With love,
Alison McCarty for the Interim Senior Pastor Search Committee: Liz Caronna, Brian Heffernan, Dan Heffernan, Jim MacDonald, Alison McCarty, & Rob Purser