Search Committee Reaches Consensus

Group Hold Final Meeting:

Sunday, February 3, 2008; The Session/Search Committee of the United Church met to conduct the final meeting for the interim pastor position. Seven people were in attendance and spent close to 3 hours discussing the results of the second round of interviews that concluded on Friday, February 1, 2008. The final two candidates, their interviews, and what we see as our collective future shaped the discussion. The Committee took great care to talk about the direction of the church and recognized deeply that whoever is the final choice, we as a church, will have excellent spiritual leadership.

Now that this phase is complete, The committee will make its recommendation and the process moves to Presbytery. Their Committee on Ministry will conduct a separate interview, probably at their next meeting, February 13th. Their recommendation moves to the next meeting of the Albany Presbytery for final confirmation. That meeting is April 8th. These meetings provide an additional layer of over-site and consideration using presbytery's extensive information network. Here at home, the Personnel Committee will meet to construct the details of the financial package and other elements akin to the hiring process. A firm start date has not, as yet, been established, but should come together quickly.

The Session/Search Committee thanks the congregation for all for their prayers, patients and support. We continue to work for the greater good and want to express our gratitude to all. Your prayers are working and have buoyed each of us as only prayers can.

May God bless you and our mission together.

Committee Members: Joan Lapham, Sandy Quinn, Helen Ruddock, Christopher Fitz, Mary LeBarron, Claudia Lundberg, Jeffrey Wright-Sedam.