The Minister Search Team announced on Sunday, April 7 that Rev. Amanda Weatherspoon is our candidate for UUCC’s next Settled Minister (click here to read the announcement). Her biography, sample sermons, and much more information about her background and ministry are available through a dedicated page on the UUCC’s website.
Rev. Amanda will come to Charlotte for eight days, April 28-May 5, for Candidating Week, a tradition in Unitarian Universalist congregations that are calling a new minister. During that week, she will lead services and meet with members, congregational leaders, and staff, leading up to a Special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, May 5. At that time, we will ask you to affirm the Search Team’s choice by “calling” Rev. Amanda to serve us. Under our Bylaws, a 90% affirmative vote is required to issue the call.
The seven members of the Search Team have spent many hours in formal interviews and informal conversations with Rev. Amanda, studied her written record, consulted with references, heard her preach to a congregation in our region, and reviewed numerous recorded services she prepared and led at her current congregation in Bethesda, Maryland.
The team unanimously concluded that she has the personal qualities and professional experience required to fulfill your high expectations for our next Settled Minister.
In consultation with Rev. Amanda and our Board of Trustees, we have developed a schedule of events for Candidating Week. This is intended to give members multiple opportunities to hear from and interact with her ahead of the congregational vote.
We are asking for signups for some of these events, so we and the UUCC staff can be prepared to set up for in-person meetings and send Zoom links to those interested in a Zoom event.
Candidating Week Events for Members
- Sunday, April 28 – Service at 10 a.m. with a reception to follow in Freeman Hall.
- Monday, April 29 – Brown Bag lunch at 12 p.m. in Freeman Hall, please RSVP bit.ly/BrownBagLunchApril29
- Tuesday, April 30 – Open Forum in Bernstein Room at 7 p.m., please RSVP bit.ly/CandidateForum-April30
- Thursday, May 2 – Potluck dinner for families in Freeman Hall from 6 – 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, May 2 – Zoom meet and greet, open to all members, at 7:30 p.m., please RSVP for the link bit.ly/CandidateMeetandGreetMay2
- Friday, May 3 – Reception at 6 p.m. in Freeman Hall and Music Celebration at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
- Sunday, May 5 – Service at 10 a.m. followed by Special Congregational Meeting, vote (members can participate in person, by zoom or vote by absentee ballot), and vote result announcement
The Search Team urges you to attend the May 5 meeting rather than vote absentee, if at all possible. In our experience, congregational decisions are best made when we can gather in community. And we hope that members who vote have heard both sermons by the candidate and attended other activities of Candidating Week.
You may have questions about the plans for that week. The Search Team will be available after the service this Sunday, April 14, at a table in Freeman Hall during coffee hour. In addition, we will offer Q&A sessions before Candidating Week, so that each of you can be prepared to participate and vote on the ministerial call.
- Thursday, April 18, 7 – 8 p.m. – Zoom Q&A with Search Team, please RSVP for the link bit.ly/SearchTeamQandAviaZoomApril18
- Sunday, April 21, after 10 a.m. service – In-person Q&A with Search Team and Board members. This session will start after the service in the Sanctuary. The Search Team and Board will continue the meeting after Credo ends, so those who attend Credo can join the session.
In the meantime, if you have questions or comments about our search process or Candidating Week, please contact the Search Team, either in person or via email: ministersearch@uuccharlotte.org.
Your UUCC Minister Search Team,
Barry Ahrendt
Althea Clark
Mic Elvenstar
Ellen Holliday (co-chair)
Rebekah Visco (co-chair)
Dave Warren
Kathryn Whitfield