From Patricia Graesser, UUC Board President

We’ve now had a few weeks’ time to process Jon Luopa’s announced retirement at the end of this coming June, and I hope that each of you are savoring his sermons and company while we have the opportunity.

Along with supporting Jon’s transition, and looking for ways to support the staff, the Board of Trustees has begun the interim minister search process, aided by our representative at the Unitarian Universalist Association. You can read about the process in the Transitional Ministry Handbook online at https://www.uua.org/sites/live-new.uua.org/files/transitional_ministry_handbook.pdf.

You are invited to attend one of the information sessions the Board will hold March 17 after each service to learn more and ask questions. There is also a dedicated Ministerial Transition page on the UUC website which we will keep updated as we move forward.

Thus far the Board has initiated the interim search process officially with the UUA, opened the profile in the MinistrySearch system and appointed an interim minister search committee. Members of the committee include Sooraj Kuttykrishnan, John Crusius, Patricia Graesser, Kathleen Cromp, Gayle Childers and Leila Zelnick.

The committee’s work from now through April 2024 is to complete the application for interim ministry, completing the required on-line profile and putting together a packet of supplemental information for potential candidates.

At the end of April, candidates will look through the profile and information packet UUC provides and, if interested in us, express their interest to the UUA Transitions office. The UUA will then provide the committee with a set of interim minister candidates. The Committee will look at sermons, review minister information, interview applicants, and then recommend an interim minister to the Board.

Before the end of May 2024, the Board is expected to enter into a contract with an interim minister for a two-year period. Our Board focus in May and June will be to celebrate Jon Luopa’s life of service. Stay tuned for more on that.

This summer’s services will be similar to what we’ve become accustomed to, with various voices in the pulpit. In summer the Board will also name a transition team that will serve as the support team for our interim minister.

Then, in August 2024, our interim ministry period begins.

The search process for a called minister is a separate process that isn’t initiated until after an interim minister is hired. You can read about the search process for a called minister in the Settlement Handbook on-line at https://www.uua.org/files/pdf/s/settlement_handbook.pdf.

As we move forward, I ask that you keep in mind that a ministerial search is a thoughtful, inclusive process undertaken by a congregation with the goal of calling a minister who can best meet the needs of a church now and into the future. A deliberative journey is likely to result in a better outcome than a rushed path.

As a board we are committed to keeping you informed of the details as they unfold.

We enter into this new phase in a strong position: We have solid membership, outstanding staff and lay leadership, generous resources and an actively engaged congregation.

We ask for your continued patience and participation as we travel this transitional road together.

~Patricia Graesser, President, for the UUC Board of Trustees