Here are the activities that comprise the search committee’s discernment process. Please note that we have slowed down our timeline a bit to allow our new Interim Minister time to assess what interim work remains to be undertaken. We’ll coordinate rolling out the survey and scheduling focus groups and cottage meetings in collaboration with interim activities.

Stage 1: Preparing for discernment

It might not seem like much is happening during this first stage, but we are spending time setting a strong foundation for the congregation-wide work that comes next. Some of our most pressing tasks include: outlining and preparing for developing a congregational survey, focus and cottage group meetings with congregation members, and beginning to research and write our congregational record (i.e., a detailed description of our congregation that prospective ministers read to decide if they are interested in becoming candidates for our senior minister).

Beyond Categorical Thinking (October 13, 2019): Beyond Categorical Thinking is an anti-oppression program designed to help promote inclusive thinking and prevent discrimination during the process of hiring a new settled minister. The program consists of a workshop and Sunday worship service on Sunday, October 13. We hope as many of you as possible can join us.

Stage 2: Congregational discernment

This second stage involves gathering feedback from the entire congregation regarding how they see UCE and the role of the future minister. Specifically, we’ll be looking for your input and participation in the following.

Congregational survey: This congregation-wide survey has two important purposes. First, it provides all UCE members with the opportunity to share their views on ministry and the skills and experiences they want our next minister to have. It also allows us to provide prospective candidates with accurate information about our congregation.

Focus/cottage groups: We’ll also be holding a series of meetings with various congregational groups to hear about people’s wishes and hopes for a new minister. If you or your group would like to meet with us, please email us and let us know!

Congregational record and document packet: We are working on creating a detailed profile of our congregation for potential ministers. This profile takes two forms: The congregational record is a detailed online questionnaire that includes information on everything from our history to the minister’s role in the congregation, while the document packet is a collection of documents providing additional information, including the results of our congregational survey and our congregation’s budget and bylaws.

Stage 3: Active search

In the final stage of the process, we’ll use the information we collect during the survey and focus groups to start to narrow down the list of interested prospective ministers and move toward calling a new settled minister.

Initial candidate list: During the first part of this stage, the search committee will receive the names of interested prospective ministers. Through discernment with one another and phone interviews, we will narrow down the initial list of candidates to three, whom we will then invite to Evanston for a more extensive interview. Although many of you may be anxious to meet the candidates, these weekends are conducted by the search committee. We need to protect the confidentiality of our candidates, as some may not be ready to announce to their own congregations that they are searching.

Announcement of candidate

Candidating week: This is a time for the congregation to spend time with the candidate. The candidate normally acts as minister during this time and has a chance to interact with congregational leaders, staff, and members. The week culminates with a congregational vote to confirm the candidate’s call to UCE.