With Rev Jane’s retirement at the end of 2024, the Board has created an overall plan for the transition to a new Senior Minister.  As you know, Rev Ruth Miller was selected as our transition Minister and is also assisting and supporting the process. The Appreciative Inquiry workshop at the Annual meeting on Sunday, Feb 16th was a step in that process.

Next steps are to form a Minister Search Committee so the process of identifying ministerial candidate(s) can be conducted. The Board is looking for committed members of USCCO to serve on this committee.  It will require a significant time commitment to ensure we find the perfect next minister for our spiritual home and community. The exact duration is unknown but will most probably last more than 6 months and potentially until the end of the year or beyond.

The MSC will consist of three to four members, with two to three members being members of USCCO and the other member being a Board representative serving in a liaison role.

If you are interested in being considered for this committee, please submit your name on this form. Additionally, if you know of someone who would make strong contributions to this committee, please encourage them to submit their name. Below are the qualifications, qualities, skills, experience and limitations of candidates so please review them prior to submitting your name.

Considerations for Being Selected a Committee Member

• Member of USCCO for at least one year
• Commitment to Unity principles and USCCO
• The ability to maintain confidentiality
• Willingness to spend significant time (2 to 8 hrs per week) on the process (likely 2-4 meetings per month with sporadic higher levels of activity during certain times as the process requires).

Qualities, skills, experience

• A strong spiritual focus and spiritual practice. A willingness to let Spirit guide and direct the process.
• Ability to see the big picture of the church and the interactions of minister, board, staff and volunteers.
• Experience in multiple areas of service as a church volunteer and/or in leadership positions.
• Open-minded without a preset fixed belief of what type of minister we are looking for.
• Open to results of USCCO’s current exploration of the transition process and what mirrors the wants of the congregation.
• Past organizational hiring experience, ability to interview and evaluate, perhaps some HR experience.
• Insight into relationships and people dynamics.
• Discernment: the ability to see the good in others but also question “is this person the right fit?”
• Ability and willingness to look for a minister that is best for our congregation overall, rather than for a minister that *you* personally like.

Protocols for Selecting the Search Committee

• The Board will initially select the Board Liaison for the search committee via a volunteer or nomination process, followed by a vote. Once selected, the Board liaison has the same rights and responsibilities as the other search team members. In holding with confidentiality, the Board liaison does not share any information with the Board until the entire search team is ready.
• The Board will review all submitted names for the non-Board candidates for the remaining two to three open slots. A vote will select either two or three candidates, with the number being chosen just prior to the vote.
• The Board liaison will notify the selected committee members and will ask to receive their acceptance.
• Once formed, the search committee may recommend a Chair for the committee.
• The search committee makes recommendations only to the Board and the Board makes the actual selection of the new minister following the vetting and interview process. The team will provide adequate information to the Board based on their interview process and observations to support their recommendation.
• Once the committee has been formed, there will be an announcement at Sunday Service and in the weekly newsletter.

The deadline for application to the committee is March 31, 2025.

Sound good? Then please fill in the form below and submit...