Ministerial Search
Last June, Charles announced his retirement effective June 30, 2012. Since then, the Board of Trustees has provided initial information about the steps we’ll take to transition to our next settled minister. Still, we’re sure that you have questions.
The board met in November with the New York Metro UU district executive to understand the transition process. The next step is to begin the process of selecting a transitional minister (TM). A TM is a skilled minister, certified by the UUA to act as a minister for congregations in transition. TMs are matched with a congregation based on talent, need, and other factors a congregation exhibits in its application. It’s a tried-and-true process, and, with our exemplary reputation, UUCWC will no doubt have a great transitional minister.
With an eye on our future, the TM works with the congregation to support our vision and strategic plan in preparation for the settled minister’s arrival. The TM cannot become the settled minister.
July – Dec. 2011: Board meets with district executive to gather information and continues to update the congregation.
December 2011: Board votes to apply for a two-year transitional minister for UUCWC, effective July 1, 2012.
January 2012: Board appoints a Transitional Minister Task Force to work on an informational packet about UUCWC. This task force will have specific responsibilities for this process. The task force will be comprised of board members and possibly one or two members of the congregation at large.
January – February: Board prepares transitional ministry application for UUA.
February: Task force completes information packet about UUCWC so it can be submitted to UUA with the transitional ministry application.
March 31: Board submits application and informational packet to UUA.
April 14 – 15: Retirement celebration for Charles
End of April: UUCWC receives ministerial packets of four people interested in serving our congregation as transitional minister.
First Week in May: Transitional Minister Task Force interviews potential transitional ministers.
Middle of May: Task force recommends one candidate to the board for final negotiations. Board will also vote on recommendation.
May 20: Annual meeting. Congregation updated on status of transitional minister and when this person will begin.
August – September: Transitional minister begins position at UUCWC.
Fall: UUCWC meets with the district’s ministerial settlement representative, Rev. Craig Hirshberg, to discuss the process of finding a settled minister.
We hope you’ll look at this as a time to gather information about yourself, your spirituality, and what the future holds for UUCWC.
Check the Board of Trustees bulletin board for a timetable of events that will help you to get a clearer picture of the entire ministerial search process, and watch the board’s website blog and Crossings articles for updates. We want you to be informed. Please talk with any board member about any and all concerns, questions, or need for clarification.
In the meantime, Charles is here to listen to your spiritual questions and will help us all as we prepare to say goodbye and look forward to an exciting future.
We are embarking on this journey together. Our feelings and concerns are normal. This is a time of celebration, sadness, excitement — and anticipation.