In late summer 2008, our co-ministers Anne Marsh and Wade Wheelock announced they would be retiring after 16 years of ministry to our church, effective July 31, 2009. That gave us plenty of time to get used to the idea and to get the ball rolling for a search for a new minister--only our second search in 50 years! (To see the covenant between Anne and Wade and the congregation, click here.)

Early in the new year the congregation voted on a slate of nominees for the Settled Minister Search Committee, and in late February we had our first meeting with our Ministerial Settlement Representative Priscilla Richter. We were off and running!

Though this transition period can be filled with uncertainty and a little trepidation, that is far outweighed by anticipation and excitement. Ours is a vital, wonderful congregation and there is surely a minister--or ministers--out there just waiting to come and journey with us.

Be sure to check out the timeline and tasks of the committee, and also check this site often for information and updates from the Search Committee. And don't hesitate to contact any member of the committee if you have questions, comments, feedback, suggestions...bring it on!!

---

These words do not come from a recent newsletter or copy of Church Council minutes. They are excerpted from the 1977 annual report written by then-minister Max Coots, who, at the time, was considering seeking an appointment in another church.

Let us heed Max’s 30-year-old advice to “take the time to discover…those strengths and abilities” we need in a new minister. Let’s “be patient with the search process.” Let’s remain “loyal to the church in the transition” and be supportive of the person we eventually choose. Because, as Max said, “To do less than that would be to negate everything we have done together over the years.”