Webinars – Meetings – Contact Information Edition!
Search and Call Basics for Churches in Transition (Part One)
By Rev. Gary Ferner, Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call
When a congregation discovers that it is about to be in transition, the most important thing they can do at that moment (or shortly thereafter) is to notify the Associate Conference Minister (ACM) serving their Association.
This allows the ACM a chance to gather the necessary resources that will support the congregation through their transition time.
This is especially important if the pastor has given 90 days’ notice, which is standard for Call Agreements that meet NY Conference Compensation Guidelines. Once notified, the ACM will work with the congregation’s leadership to secure either pulpit supply, a designated pastor, or an intentional interim pastor, depending on the congregation’s needs.
When transitional pastoral leadership is secured, the congregation is introduced to the Congregational Welcoming Diversity Inventory, a survey designed to help a congregation identify areas where they welcome diversity, and areas where they may wish to grow in welcoming diversity.
The work done here assists in the building of the congregation’s Local Church Profile, which is posted on the United Church of Christ’s Opportunities webpage. The only way to post a Local Church Profile is through the ACM.
Search Committees will learn from the ACM how to read a Ministerial Profile, and will begin interviewing candidates who express interest in the position. Very often, there is a lag time between the posting of a Local Church Profile and a congregation receiving Ministerial Profiles.
It is a difficult truth that the larger and more resourced a congregation is, the more Ministerial Profiles they receive.
Even as a congregation waits to see if prospective candidates show interest in their posted Local Church Profile, there are alternatives to pastoral leadership that can be explored.
Identifying local pastors of other denominations is one way. Another is educating and authorizing a member of the congregation for leadership.
Churches in transition may wish to consider partnering with other congregations, nearby UCC congregations, or local congregations of other denominations to share pastoral leadership.
Next Article: Part Two: Congregational tasks while in transition, calling a pastor, celebrating an Installation.
Rev. Gary Ferner Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call UCCNY gferner@uccny.org
Prayers and Reflection During the Annual Meeting, we took time to pause, reflect, and remember all of those who we hold dear to us that have transitioned in the last year or more. It is important for us all to allow for space to mourn, and to know that we are not alone in our moments of sorrow. If you feel you need a helping hand in grieving/mental health wellness, please email: sestilley@uccny.org
The New York Conference, UCC send our condolences to the family and friends of
The New York Conference, UCC send our condolences to the family and friends of
Rev. Daniel James Maiden and Dr. Robert Allen Chase , IN MEMORIAM
NY UCC Conference Connection
New York Conference Staff Directory
Rev. Dr. Marsha Williams Transitional Conference Minister mwilliams@uccny.org
Rev. Shernell Edney Stilley Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Vitality sestilley@uccny.org
Rev. Gary Ferner Associate Conference Minister of Search and Call UCCNY gferner@uccny.org
Rev. Ryan Henderson Associate Conference Minister for Communication and Online Community rhenderson@uccny.org to set an appointment via phone or online: calendly.com/revjava
Rev. Dr. Marjorie Purnine Associate Conference Minister for Leadership Development Dean of the New York School of Ministry MPurnine@uccny.org
Susan Frost Conference Registrar and Wider Church Ministry Coordinator sfrost@uccny.org
David Losito Manager of Finance and Administration dlosito@uccny.org
We are here to listen, to have you bounce ideas off of us, to ask for specific resources,
to pray and perhaps even to laugh together.
What’s Happening at Your Local Church?
~ New York Conference Happenings now delivered on Fridays! ~
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Please note items received by Tuesday will be posted in that Friday’s mailing. Anything received after may be pushed to the following week. The New York Conference may not publish all submissions received.
CONFERENCE TRANSITIONAL CORNER
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!
As our conference moves forward in this time of transition, your Transitional Conference Minister (TCM) and your Board are eager to hear from you as our transitional “plan” would not be complete without the input and insight of you, the members of the New York Conference.
To facilitate meaningful and manageable dialogue, TCM Rev. Dr. Marsha Williams and Conference Moderator, Rev. Judy Van Kennen, are hosting Association-wide Town Hall Zoom meetings. This will be your opportunity to share your ideas, thoughts, hopes and dreams for the future of our conference.
Where are we headed? What are the challenges before us? What ministries should we prioritize in the coming years?
Please see the schedule of upcoming Town Hall gatherings. If you don’t see your association listed, DON’T PANIC! We are scheduling time with every association which will be announced soon.
Mark your calendars and plan to join Marsha and Judy for faithful and fruitful conversation.
Black River- St. Lawrence Sunday, October 2, 2022 2pm | Hybrid
Essex TBA
Genesee Valley Associations (GVA) Sunday, October 30, 2022 Time | In-Person The First Congregational Church, 65 Church Street, Spencerport, New York
Hudson Mohawk Association (HMA) TBA
Metropolitan Saturday, November 19, 2022 9AM-Noon | via Zoom Registration Details to Come
Oneida Saturday, September 24, 2022 9am-12Noon | In-Person Trinity Church, 215 W Court St, Rome, NY 13440-5707 Reformed TBA
Suffolk Saturday, November 5, 2022 9am | In-Person Location TBA
Susquehanna Sunday, September 25, 2022
Western Sunday, November 6, 2022 Lunch at Noon – Meeting at 1pm Angola Congregational Church 132 N Main Street, Angola NY 14006
***UPDATE*** ANNUAL MEETING 2023
June 16-17, 2023 Niagara Falls Convention Center
Due to pandemic bookings, we’ve had to slightly alter the previously announced Annual Meeting 2023 location.
We are happy to announce the 2023 UCCNY Annual Meeting will take place in scenic, Niagara Falls! The Niagara Convention Center and adjacent Sheraton Hotel will be the location for our gathering beginning on June 15, 2023, with the Continuing Education Institute and Annual Meeting, June 16-17th.
