Ministerial Search Update
Questions, questions, questions!!! Have you been wondering why the Ministerial Search Committee has asked so many questions? Over the last two months, many of you have participated in a survey and attended cottage meetings asking your opinion about what we want for our new minister. Here’s why:
Based on your input we have prepared an informational packet for prospective ministers called the Congregational Record. This document will be made available to prospective ministerial candidates and gives us a great opportunity to help them learn about our beloved church.
We have completed the Congregational Record and you can access it via this link. If you have questions contact Mary Anderson or Ann Fletcher.
Our next step is the creation of a website which will be the story of East Shore in words and pictures. We will let you know when it is completed.
We also hope you will join us on Sunday, November 6 for the Beyond Categorical Thinking Workshop. Beyond Categorical Thinking is a highly recommended part of the search process for our congregation. In finding the person who would be the best match for our minister, we could potentially overlook or even let biases keep us from knowing that a particular person would be the best match for us. In our efforts to find the best match, our congregation will host a Beyond Categorical Thinking worship service and workshop on Sunday November 6th. Lunch of soup, salad and bread will be served between the worship service and the workshop. Childcare provided. Attendance is encouraged for everyone in the congregation.
One question we’ve received from some of you regards what will happen if the Search Committee is unable to find a Settled Minister. Our board chair, Jack Slowriver. wrote about this in the October Beacon and the response is copied below:
“Some people have asked, “what if we don’t find the perfect candidate?” This is a really good question. We need someone who is a gifted speaker, pastoral care giver, and organizational change manager. It’s a tall order. If we don’t find the perfect candidate East Shore will have two choices. We could have another interim minister (Elaine is not available for another year, regardless of the outcome of the Search), or we could have a developmental minister. Developmental ministers are assigned, much like interims, but they are usually contracted for 3-4 years to help a congregation work through longer-term issues such as governance, identity and visioning for the future. So, please rest assured that although we have a lot of work to do this year, if it doesn’t culminate in the settlement of a new called minister, we will not be left high and dry. That said, we’re going to continue to grab life by the lapels and go for it!