If you have a
question please send it to
pnc@upcpastorsearch.com and we will attempt to
answer as many as we can right here on this FAQ
page.
Q: Do I have to attend the
congregational meeting on Sept 21st in order to
vote?
A: Yes, the PCUSA Book of Order requires that you
must be present in order to vote. There are no
options available to us to provide for a proxy, or
absentee ballot. This is something that UPC or the
PNC can not change or make exceptions for, however
we are providing an extended congregational meeting
that will start at 12:30 pm and will reconvene at
6:15pm to allow more members to attend.
Q: Where did Ann Hinman grow
up, and attend church?
A: Ann was born in Cincinnati, OH and grew up at
Wyoming Presbyterian Church and was also very active
at College Hill Presbyterian Church for many years,
both in Cincinnati. During her years at Miami of
Ohio, Ann was also involved with the Oxford Bible
Fellowship.
Q: Where was George Hinman
born?
A: George was born (on a college campus as it turns
out) in Ithaca, New York, but grew up in the Bay
area, and joined Menlo Park Presbyterian Church.
Q: Is there a job
description for this position?
A: Yes, a job description is available online
as part of our
Church Information Form that has been approved
by the UPC session and the Seattle Presbytery's
Commission on Ministry.
Q: What are the
general statistical trends at UPC?
A: The PCUSA has ten year trends available
online. You can review UPC "by the numbers" by
clicking here.
Q: Why do we need
such a long process?
A: We are Presbyterians! The
PCUSA (Presbyterian Church of the USA) has
determined how its churches select a Pastor. While
each local church votes to make the final decision,
there is a
Constitution and a Book of Order that must be
followed. This process is designed to allow both a
fair and open search as well as time for prayer and
discernment.
Q: Does the PNC
receive training?
A: Yes, there are many people and resources
that the PNC has already used to learn how to do a
pastoral search. The
Seattle Presbytery provides a member of the
Commission on Ministry (COM) to meet with us each
week. The Seattle Presbytery also has provided
additional training sessions and
materials on calling a pastor. We have also met
with outstanding national leaders including
Dr. John Perkins, Rev. Dr. Roberta Hestenes, and author
Reggie McNeal to share their insights with us.
Q: Can I email my
questions or comments to the PNC?
A: Yes, we would love to hear from you. Look
at the
Contact Us page on the website for our
individual email addresses, or email the whole
committee at
pnc@upcpastorsearch.com
Q: Can I meet with
the PNC?
A: We have already held many special meetings
at UPC for the congregation in order to gather input
into the search process. At this time we have
completed that phase of the process and would like
to thank those who took time to meet with us and
share their thoughts. If you have more ideas to
share, please email the PNC at
pnc@upcpastorsearch.com
Q: Will we be able
to find out who is under consideration?
A: Due to the confidential natural of a
pastoral search, only one candidate will be
presented to the congregation. The congregation
will have an opportunity to hear the candidate
preach at UPC, and then vote on that candidate. If
the candidate is not acceptable to the congregation,
or declines to come, the PNC will continue the
search process.
Q: What do I hear
about a Co-Pastor position at UPC?
A: The UPC Session voted with the approval
of the Seattle Presbytery to create a Co-Pastor
position at UPC. This process will allow our current
Senior Pastor Earl Palmer to continue in his
leadership role until a new Senior Pastor can
begin. There will be a two week Co-Pastor
transition, then the new "Co-Pastor" will become the
Senior Pastor.
