In just about two months, the UUCC Search Team plans to introduce you to our candidate for Settled Minister. The process is moving forward on schedule. The seven of us have been meeting about once a week – and sometimes more frequently. It’s an exhaustive effort to recruit applicants, review their records and videos, conduct interviews online and in person, and ultimately select a highly qualified minister who meets the criteria you have helped us determine.
According to our schedule, which we published in the Fall, February and March are the crucial months during which we meet with a small number of “pre-candidates” who come to Charlotte, sit for hours of interviews and casual conversations, and preach a Sunday sermon at another, “neutral pulpit” in our region.
The main purpose of those appearances is not disclosed to those congregations, out of respect for the confidentiality of the process and the privacy of those involved. In the tradition of the Tom Cruise “Mission: Impossible” films, if our mission is detected, we will deny any knowledge of our actions.
Humor aside, we on the Search Team take our mission quite seriously. We check references, research each of the pre-candidates, and perform due diligence to ensure the fitness of the candidate we present to you.
As we announced recently, the Search Team expects to reveal the candidate in April, once an offer is made and an agreement on salary, benefits, and other conditions is negotiated. Most importantly, you will have multiple opportunities to meet with and hear from the candidate during the week of April 28 – May 5.
The Candidating Week comprises two Sunday services and numerous discussion groups and social occasions. During this week, the candidate will act as our UUCC minister, meeting with staff and congregational leaders, and planning and presenting the two services. The Search Team is developing the schedule for Candidating Week and will announce it once it’s finalized.
Following the service on Sunday, May 5, we and the Board of Trustees will hold a special congregational meeting to vote on the formal call to the minister. Please plan to participate in Candidating Week and attend the congregational meeting, either in person or online.
Thanks for your interest and participation in this crucially important process to help guide our UU community’s future. Please contact us with questions or concerns at ministersearch@uuccharlotte.org.
Your Settled Minister Search Team,
Barry Ahrendt
Althea Clark
Mic Elvenstar
Ellen Holliday (co-chair)
Rebekah Visco (co-chair)
Dave Warren
Kathryn Whitfield