News from the Ministerial Search Committee – July 7, 2017

Posted on by MaryBeth Hannan

UPDATE FOR MEMBERS ATTENDING SUMMER INSTITUTE (SI):
 
In addition to the open interview times taking place at the church next week, there will be two open interview sessions at SI!  They will be:

  • Tuesday July 11 from 3:15 to 4:45PM (late afternoon workshop time slot) in room 254 in the Science Center
  • Wednesday July 12 from 1:30 to 3PM (early afternoon workshop time slot) in room 254 in the Science Center

Any member of the Kent UU church is invited to participate in one of the sessions (more information about the sessions is given below).  The sessions at SI will be conducted by Kathy Kerns, if possible please e-mail or call her to let her know which session you plan to attend ([email protected]; cell 330/780-5406).  You can also contact Kathy if you have any questions.

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Your search committee needs your voice!
“We are here, and we are listening.”

A major part of finding a new minister involves gathering details about our beloved Kent UU for potential ministerial candidates to review.
 
Which is why you are seeing fliers, posters and sign-up sheets throughout the church announcing “The Voices of UUCK.”
 
Which is why we need you.
 
Your search committee is asking every member and regular attendee of the Kent UU to participate in this very important project this summer, which
will focus on two opportunities.
 
The first is an interview-and-discussion process throughout the month of July. During this time, a sample of lay leaders, staff and groups will be asked to discuss their hopes and dreams for the church going forward; where they believe we are strong and where we need strengthening; and the characteristics they’d like to see in a new minister.
 
A second opportunity comes in August with a community-wide survey that will address the same issues in much greater detail. Both will aid your search committee in developing an authentic synopsis of Kent UU, so we can make the best and most appropriate choice when we call a candidate next spring.
 
“Each member and friend of the church has two opportunities to be heard and to help us discover what we need to know to try to find a new minister we will fall in love with — and who will fall in love with us,” says search committee member Becky Cline, who is coordinating the Voices project.
 
One-on-one interviews, conducted by members of the search committee, are already underway this week, with a variety of group interviews being scheduled for later in July (see below for the groups scheduled to date).
 
Folks who find they are unable to attend one of the group discussions may pick up a paper questionnaire, which contains the same questions being asked in interviews and groups. Questionnaires will be available in Founders Lounge after worship services on July 9 and July 16 or by contacting Becky Cline.
 
Focus groups scheduled to date:

  • Open-Invitation Group I (anyone can sign up): Thursday, July 13, 7-9 p.m., Annex
  • Open-Invitation Group II (anyone can sign up): Saturday, July 15, 1-3 p.m., Fessenden Hall
  • Parents of Young Children: Sunday, July 16, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Fessenden Hall
    • Please note: Child care is available. Please indicate to Becky or on the sign-up sheet if you will be bringing children.
  • Parents of Youth/Middle Schoolers: Friday, July 21, 7-9 p.m., Fessenden Hall

Members of the search committee will be in Founders Lounge after church on Sunday, July 9 and again on Sunday, July 16, with signup sheets for the above-mentioned groups. We realize some folks may be away at Summer Institute during sign-up and during some of the group events. If you want to attend one of the groups and are unable to be at church on one of the Sundays to sign up, please contact Becky at [email protected]. Also,
please remember you can participate in the interview process on paper, by e-mailing Becky for a copy of the questions. We value all input and want to hear from everyone.
 
As always, your search committee welcomes questions and comments throughout this process. Every piece of information becomes key as we move toward calling a new settled minister in April 2018. We are grateful for your interest and your participation.

Your ministerial search committee members are:

     Kathie Slater, chair
     Becky Cline
     Don Easterling
     Saul Flanner
     Bonnie Harper
     Debra-Lynn Hook
     Kathy Kerns
     Rod Thompson
     Gene Wenninger

 

 

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