Are you wondering about the process of finding a minister? The UUA has laid out a specific process, which we are following. For more information, read on below; you can also check out the UUA’s Settlement Handbook for more information.
Every ministerial search starts with the election of a Search Committee (which ERUUF has already done).
The next step is a congregational self-assessment to allow the congregation to describe who we are and to identify what we want in a potential minister. During this process, the Search Committee collects data from various sources including records from our congregation, a survey, and then a series of focus groups and listening sessions. We will start these data collection activities shortly, so please watch out for invitations to participate. The Search Committee synthesizes this information into a Congregational Record. This Congregational Record is made available to potential candidates and will be shared with the ERUUF congregation.
While this data collection is happening, a small team of representatives from the Board and the Search Committee will be meeting with a representative from the UUA to develop a draft contract for the new lead minister. This draft contract will also be made available to potential candidates.
In most search processes, these materials would be made available in January to all ministers who are looking for a congregation. However, ERUUF has a potential internal candidate in Rev. Brett. The UUA requires that an internal candidate be considered and a decision made before the search is opened up to any external candidates.
As a result, in the November-December time frame, after the Congregational Record is complete, the Search Committee engages in a thoughtful discernment process to evaluate whether there is a potential match between the congregation’s needs and the internal candidate’s skills. The internal candidate also looks at the Congregational Record and the contract and determines whether there is a match between what she and the congregation are seeking. Everyone is looking to determine whether this is a good fit. If there is a good fit, then the process moves to a candidating weekend where the potential minister will preach and meet with members of the congregation. If there is not a good fit, then the Board and the Search Committee meet to determine next steps.
If you have any further questions, please reach out to the Search Committee at .