Pastoral SearchApril 28, 2008 A Congregational Meeting has been called by the Session to be held following 10:45 a.m. worship on Sunday, May 18, for the purpose of hearing the report of the congregation’s Nominating Committee and the election of the Pastor Nominating Committee. The names of those being nominated will be in the bulletin prior to the Congregational Meeting. If anyone desires to nominate someone from the floor, please contact that person with a copy of the job description to see if he or she would serve, if nominated, prior to making that nomination. Thanks! The Committee appreciates the input you gave in suggesting names to serve on the Pastor Nominating Committee, and most of all, your prayers. April 28, 2008 Coming to Terms With Our History At the April meeting of the Session, approval was given to begin Phase One of the “self-study” of our congregation. This is the phase where you reflect upon and come to terms with our history as a church. It will be done with a series of small group meetings being held during the month of June. The discussion at those meetings will be based on what you have learned from your past. Copious notes will be taken, but all notes will be anonymous. When all the groups have met, these notes will be compiled and will be shared with the congregation at a special gathering. Sample questions to be discussed will include: w What of the past is still influencing this congregation? w What are your happiest memories… saddest? w What of the past you would like to see kept… let go? w How has conflict been resolved? Group meetings will be held on Sunday, June 1, 8, and 29 at 8:30 and 9:45 a.m., and noon. Opportunities will be provided for you to sign up for the group meeting most convenient to you. Your participation is encouraged March 17, 2008 A Pastor Nominating Committee (PNS) job description was published in the April issue of Cross Currents. Also the congregation was requested to submit names of candidates to serve on the Nominating Committee. Click here to see the description. Click here to submit a name for consideration. February 27, 2008 The "journey" has begun and it continues in three
phases.
Phase One - Coming to terms with history. Beginning in April the congregation will meet in small groups to look at the past. "Trying to plan for the future without knowing the past is like trying to plant cut flowers". Just a couple of the questions to be discussed are "what of the past is still influencing St. Andrews (people, symbols, traditions)?" and "How has the church dealt with conflict in the past?" The results of this will be presented at at a congregational gathering. A Pastor Nominating Committee will
be elected at a date to be set for the later part of May
2008. December 20, 2007 The process for the selection of a new pastor is progressing. This is a summary of the process as stated by our interim pastor Gus Schmitt. "Very often in life, the place from which we start can have a great deal to do with where we end up and how we get there. It is therefore, very important that we get our bearings. In preparation for our journey together, I would like to share, as briefly as possible and without great detail, where we might be headed. The journey, obviously begins with “endings”. This is the stage marked by your pastor’s departure. We then move on to what might be called “direction finding”, when we learn the steps to be taken before a new pastor is called. The third stage is “self-study”, where you will look at yourself as a church, a deliberate process of evaluation. The fourth stage is the actual “search” for a new pastor, which cannot begin until you have clearly focused your identity. Stage five in the journey is “decision”. This is the exciting climax of the search when a candidate is presented and the congregation decides whether or not to issue a call. Continuing the journey, we reach stage six, which is the “installation” of your new pastor. Then finally, we come to “start up”, the official beginning of a new pastorate and of a new chapter in life of St. Andrew’s. This is where we are headed in the months to come. I am most eager to travel this journey with you." Stay tuned for future developments.
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