Sunday, September 05, 2010

What are the steps as we transition into the interim process?

 

Dear Members:

As we approach the time of Wayne’s departure, we as a congregation have a very demanding but very exciting challenge to move our vibrant church into the future.  We hope these next few months you will take some time to visit with Wayne and Judy to share your thoughts, as they will surely appreciate it.  As is the requirement of every retiring Presbyterian Minister, Wayne will have to remove himself completely from church related issues in order to ensure the success of our interim process and our eventual transition to our new minister.  It has been explained that this interim process can take 12-18 months, but we have been assured that many Pastoral candidates are interested in the Colorado area, so we are hopeful that First United Presbyterian Church will move methodically and timely through this process.

Please note the following items of importance:

 

1.  Session has set 11-22-09 for an afternoon Farewell Concert-Reception for Pastor Wayne and Judy.   The Concert will be a very special one for all of us; and performed by Michael Kelly Blanchard.  We wish that all our members can attend the concert which starts at 2:30 and for the reception after.  The concert is open to the public; the reception is only for the congregation and friends of Wayne and Judy.

 

2.   Presbytery Officials have already started working on the transition planning, and the collecting of names of possible interim pastor candidates.

 

3.   Session had a Planning Meeting with Presbytery Officials on 10-22-09.  It included our Committee on Ministry (COM) liaison, Reverend Fred Bunning and the Executive Presbyter, Reverend Dr. Dan Saperstein. To see the PowerPoint presentation, log onto Plains and Peaks website, www.plainsandpeaks.org/documents and choose Interim Journey PowerPoint from the left hand column.

 

4.  On 11-19-09,  at a special called Session meeting,   Session will meet with Pastor Fred Bunning to select an Interim Pastor Nominating Sub-Committee (3 -5 people to be determined, chaired by a Session member).    The Sub-Committee will work with Presbytery to solicit interim candidates and review them; but per Presbytery the work of interviewing and hiring an interim pastor cannot commence until 1-1-10.    We need to be mindful that the Interim Pastor's direct accountability is to Presbytery; but Session and the congregation will decide who our interim pastor will be.   At this time Presbytery feels there could be a good pool of candidates.   The process of finding an interim pastor could take from 60-150 days after 01-01-10.

 

5.   On 11-22-09, we will have a Congregational meeting.   Besides our annual selection of new Session and Deacon Members; we need to vote on the "Terms of Dissolution" between Pastor Wayne and FUPC.   This follows Book of Order policies.    Wayne's final date as Pastor of FUPC remains the same (12-31-09).

6.  Church Transition Team (during the interim period of no permanent pastor) - Some time prior to 1-1-10, Session will create a sub-committee of three people (Session members-per Presbytery) to function as a Transition Team.   This group will coordinate Worship, Communication, and necessary items to maintain our integrity and cohesiveness as a church body.   Our team and daily administrative functions will not change during this time period.

 

 

 

7.   Until we have an interim pastor, we will have different ministers and possibly some lay people doing our Sunday Services (known as Pulpit Supply).   We are incredibly lucky to have many wonderful ministers as part of our church family-we have no doubt these sermons will be a great treat before our Interim takes the pulpit.

 

 

 

8.   Once the above items are completed, then FUPC, with Presbytery's help, will develop "our mission statement".    Once this is done and approved by COM; then COM will authorize the selection of a Pastor Nominating Committee.   This committee will be selected by the current FUPC Nominating Committee and elected by our members.    Then the Pastor Nominating Committee works confidentially (but with member updates) on the process of calling a minister for our Church.

 

All Session members will gladly expand on any of the above items or answer questions from all our members.   We will continue to provide regular updates on the process and expected timelines.

 

With God's Guidance and Wisdom,   Your FUPC Session

 

Patrick Bashor Carrie Bowlus Larry Roos  Ann Marie Arbo

 

Ben Saxbury  Kathy Busse  Lorna Finlay

 

Barb Englehardt, Clerk

 

10/30/09
Dear Members:
As we approach the time of Wayne’s departure, we as a congregation have a very demanding but very exciting challenge to move our vibrant church into the future.  We hope these next few months you will take some time to visit with Wayne and Judy to share your thoughts, as they will surely appreciate it.  As is the requirement of every retiring Presbyterian Minister, Wayne will have to remove himself completely from church related issues in order to ensure the success of our interim process and our eventual transition to our new minister.  It has been explained that this interim process can take 12-18 months, but we have been assured that many Pastoral candidates are interested in the Colorado area, so we are hopeful that First United Presbyterian Church will move methodically and timely through this process.
Please note the following items of importance:
1.  Session has set 11-22-09 for an afternoon Farewell Concert-Reception for Pastor Wayne and Judy.   The Concert will be a very special one for all of us; and performed by Michael Kelly Blanchard.  We wish that all our members can attend the concert which starts at 2:30 and for the reception after.  The concert is open to the public; the reception is only for the congregation and friends of Wayne and Judy.
2.   Presbytery Officials have already started working on the transition planning, and the collecting of names of possible interim pastor candidates.
3.   Session had a Planning Meeting with Presbytery Officials on 10-22-09.  It included our Committee on Ministry (COM) liaison, Reverend Fred Bunning and the Executive Presbyter, Reverend Dr. Dan Saperstein. To see the PowerPoint presentation, log onto Plains and Peaks website, www.plainsandpeaks.org/documents and choose Interim Journey PowerPoint from the left hand column.
4.  On 11-19-09,  at a special called Session meeting,   Session will meet with Pastor Fred Bunning to select an Interim Pastor Nominating Sub-Committee (3 -5 people to be determined, chaired by a Session member).    The Sub-Committee will work with Presbytery to solicit interim candidates and review them; but per Presbytery the work of interviewing and hiring an interim pastor cannot commence until 1-1-10.    We need to be mindful that the Interim Pastor's direct accountability is to Presbytery; but Session and the congregation will decide who our interim pastor will be.   At this time Presbytery feels there could be a good pool of candidates.   The process of finding an interim pastor could take from 60-150 days after 01-01-10.
5.   On 11-22-09, we will have a Congregational meeting.   Besides our annual selection of new Session and Deacon Members; we need to vote on the "Terms of Dissolution" between Pastor Wayne and FUPC.   This follows Book of Order policies.    Wayne's final date as Pastor of FUPC remains the same (12-31-09).
6.  Church Transition Team (during the interim period of no permanent pastor) - Some time prior to 1-1-10, Session will create a sub-committee of three people (Session members-per Presbytery) to function as a Transition Team.   This group will coordinate Worship, Communication, and necessary items to maintain our integrity and cohesiveness as a church body.   Our team and daily administrative functions will not change during this time period.
7.   Until we have an interim pastor, we will have different ministers and possibly some lay people doing our Sunday Services (known as Pulpit Supply).   We are incredibly lucky to have many wonderful ministers as part of our church family-we have no doubt these sermons will be a great treat before our Interim takes the pulpit.
8.   Once the above items are completed, then FUPC, with Presbytery's help, will develop "our mission statement".    Once this is done and approved by COM; then COM will authorize the selection of a Pastor Nominating Committee.   This committee will be selected by the current FUPC Nominating Committee and elected by our members.    Then the Pastor Nominating Committee works confidentially (but with member updates) on the process of calling a minister for our Church.
All Session members will gladly expand on any of the above items or answer questions from all our members.   We will continue to provide regular updates on the process and expected timelines.
With God's Guidance and Wisdom,   Your FUPC Session
Patrick Bashor Carrie Bowlus Larry Roos  Ann Marie Arbo
Ben Saxbury  Kathy Busse  Lorna Finlay
Barb Englehardt, Cler

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