Call Committee Corner

“We are moving…” The Call Committee met last week with Synod Vice President Gail Kiyomura and Pastor Cindy Beck.  Pastor Beck has been appointed our Call Process Administrator. 

When we last reported, our Ministry Site Profile (MSP) had been approved by our Church Council and sent to the Synod office.  A meeting had been set by then Bishop Rohrer to answer a few questions before our MSP was sent out to prospective candidates.  Changes in the Synod Office put the process on hold. Since an interim bishop had not yet been appointed, Ms. Kiyomura was fulfilling some of the Office of the Bishop’s responsibilities, and she proceeded with the meeting.

The meeting went very well.  Pastor Beck complimented us on our MSP and felt it was well balanced.  We discussed with her next steps, and she encouraged us to get prepared for our interview process and materials that we will share with the candidates. This is something that we have already begun to do. We feel very confident that we will be prepared for our interviews.

Next steps…the MSP has been updated to reflect new congregational leadership and Synod contacts.  It is our hope that the MSP will be approved by church council this week, and can be resubmitted to the ELCA, and approved for publication by our Synod office.  As soon as it is received by the Synod Office, it will go “live” immediately, meaning it will go out on the Clergy Prospective Calls network. Synod staff will review all applications, and give to us 4 -5 candidates.  The process may take some time (4 -6 weeks) and we should not expect immediate results.  The Call Committee will be ready to set up interviews as soon as we get the list of candidates.

The Call Committee was reminded that our process was for a call not a job.  We are looking for the best candidate that will serve us all in ministry together.  It’s not going to happen overnight. 

Please continue to keep the call committee in your prayers.

Any comments or thoughts, reach out to one of the members of the committee; Matt Byom, Sarah Janigian, Randy Presuhn (Chair), Adolfo Ramirez, Paul Thomas, and Julia Tranchina.

Sarah Janigian

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