| Headlines | Church News | Classifieds | This Week | This Month | ConnTact | Video | Blogs | ConferenceCast | Disaster Response | Archive | Submissions

Search Committee Update: A Rich and Exciting Time

Profile Booklet The profile booklet exists in two high-resolution formats. Each is about 6.7 megabytes in size. The content and layout are identical; only the pagination changes. Thirteen Pages (page spreads) This version will view better on a screen and preserve the flow of images across pages found in the full-size booklet. It will print interior pages onto 8.5 x 11 paper in landscape orientation, with two pages per sheet. This may prevent QR codes from scanning well. Twenty-four Pages This version presents each page on a separate 8.5 x 11 piece of paper, and is probably preferred for viewing on paper. Images that flow from one page to the next in the booklet will be separated when viewed or printed. Profile Video (Below)

by Eric Anderson

HARTFORD (09/14/2012) -- The Search Committee issued an update to Connecticut Conference clergy today on their progress in identifying and calling the next spiritual leader for the United Church of Christ in the state. Committee chair the Rev. Gordon Rankin called it "a rich and exciting time to be talking to real, live potential candidates."

Rankin acknowledged that, with the committee members engaged in reviewing candidate profiles, there was far more that he couldn't say than he could. He urged Conference members who have been "nurturing" a potential candidate to remind him or her that the application deadline, September 30, is just a few weeks away. "If there is any way the Search Committee can help resource their disciernment," he said, "please let us know."

The committee members have also begun preparations for the next stages of the process, even as applications continue to arrive. They will begin practicing interview skills with one of their advisors, the Rev. Marja Coons-Torn, Penn Central Conference Minister. Click here for their full report.

October 7th Day of Prayer for the Search

At the suggestion of the Rev. Jim Silver, the Search Committee has asked the people of the Connecticut Conference to hold them in prayer together on World Communion Sunday, October 7, the first Sunday after the deadline for applications closes. "Without question," Rankin said, "we feel the support and strength of your prayers."

As the committee continues to examine the profiles already received and awaits God's surprises in those still to come, they plan frequent meetings and conversations with each other and their supports from the national setting of the church. The conversations they have already had with candidates have been enlivening. "These interactions," Rankin declared, "are bolstering our confidence that God is indeed leading us toward our future leader."

The Connecticut Conference entered this interim stage of its life when the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree retired in May of 2010. All inquiries about the nature of the Conference Minister position or the process for applying should be directed to the Search Committee at gordonr@ctucc.org.

Video

The Rev. Eric S. Anderson is Minister of Communications and Technology for the Connecticut Conference UCC.