Ministerial Search Committee

The Ministerial Search Committee's task is to find the best possible minister for our congregation. We will accomplish this by ensuring that potential candidates have accurate information about our congregation and its needs, and by careful questioning and investigation of suitable candidates. The congregation has been surveyed to establish what our needs are and the results of the survey are available. An information package for Ministerial Candidates reflecting what we have learned about our activities, needs and aspirations has been prepared, along with a DVD showing the property and people at First Unitarian. Additional information available in our binder for prospective candidates includes: Pocket Guide, Annual Report, Newsletter, sample Order of Service and insert.

Your Search Committee is committed to keeping you informed about the process being followed by providing information in the monthly Newsletter and the E-weekly. Keep in mind that some aspects of the Search, including names of candidates under consideration, will remain confidential.

Our goal is to have three excellent candidates who will preach at neutral pulpits with the Search Committee in attendance. The plan is to then select one of the Ministers to attend candidating week which has been scheduled for April 18th to 25th, 2010. At that time, s/he will preach on Sunday the 18th, meet with as many congregants as possible during the week and then preach again on the 25th. Following the service on the 25th, the congregation would vote to accept the candidate or not. Keep in mind that candidating week will happen only if we are absolutely confident in our choice. If not, we will continue on for another year.

Members of your Ministerial Search Committee are Diane McLaren, Astrid Firley-Eaton, Fran Pardee (co-chair), John Hopewell (co-chair), Lorna Anthony, Margaret McKelvie, and Forrest Smith. We welcome your feedback.