A Letter from Lindy Jan 11

Hello Pilgrims,

I feel like it's been a minute since I have updated you about the search process for the Faith Formation role (the renamed Christian Education position from which Felix stepped away to pursue her MSW, in case you need to be reminded).

Each month the search team has updated Church Council, but sharing those details and timeline with the broader congregation, I don’t believe I have done for many months. I apologize, and let me correct that omission, beginning with an invitation to surround the Committee with your gratitude and prayers.

Our search team is ably chaired by Sam Williams and Ally Hawkins. They are joined by Brandy Jones-Neelam, Tiffany Ellis, Charlie Clotfelter, Beth Bowling, and Richard Whitaker. Nathan Olawsky, Hannah Hansard, and I round out the Committee. Gratitude for the very hard work each of these individuals has undertaken, over what is now an expanse of a year for many of them. Prayers because after moving through two iterations of this process, we hope that we see the horizon within our sight.

This Sunday we will begin one of our on-campus interviews with our 2 final candidates. Over the course of Sunday evening to Monday afternoon, we will have extensive group and individual conversations to help us discern which of the two candidates feels like the best fit for Pilgrim. The second candidate will join us the following weekend, so it will be an intense two weeks for the Search Team. Another reason for your gratitude and prayers.

Our hope is that we will have clarity about the path to take, but as we have wanted to stay in conversation with both candidates, I’m sure we will have deep discussion before coming to a decision. I cannot make promises, especially after what happened in round 1, but the Team’s goal is to conclude the search process by the Congregational Meeting. Again, your prayers are coveted, as there are many steps along the way.

grace and peace,
 

Pastor Lindy

(she/her) why pronouns matter