Greetings –

February 2 was the final day to submit applications for the Senior Minister Search Committee to our Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee, which is doing the first level of review, reported we have 43 qualified applicants. We are very pleased and grateful to all of you who submitted an application for this committee, which is so important to the future of our church.

Let me share what’s coming next. On February 22 the Nominating Committee will meet with the Board to hand off the applications. The Board will then meet March 1 to make the committee selections. The plan is to introduce the Search Committee by mid-March and have them begin their work.

Although the Search Committee’s job is to reach out to our broader UU Community for a new senior minister, they will begin by reaching inward to our congregation. This is where we all play a role. Through the spring and early fall, when the Search Committee asks for our input – about who we are as a church and our hopes and dreams for our future – be a part, share your ideas.

As the Search Committee reaches out to you, we your Board, will also be reaching out to see how you are faring through this transition process – do you have questions, concerns or want to share your feelings. 

The rest of this church year and next will be stable with the continuity we’re used to with Rev. Bill’s leadership and presence, our capable staff, and groups working to fulfill our mission. There will also be times when we do things differently because we are in a ministerial transition. One of those is the Annual Congregational Survey sponsored by the Board that helps us with our yearly assessment of the ministry of our church. This year a survey of congregants will be in the hands of the Search Committee as they do their work. We will use their survey results in our assessment.

As always, if you have questions or comments, you can email us at board@firstunitarianportland.org.

I look forward to seeing you all in church . . .

In Gratitude, 

Kathy Ludlow

Moderator First Unitarian Board of Trustees