Community Church

Call Committee Update (December 10, 2007)

Our congregation is experiencing Advent in a new way this year – as we eagerly wait for word of a new pastor, and ponder just how the gifts and skills of this person will integrate with and offer new light to the mission and vision that is Holy Trinity.

A sense of excitement is bubbling as we look forward to interviews with four candidates the first weeks of January – and the conversations we will have together. More candidates are being contacted by the synod, while names from national sources continue to come our way.

Lynda Nordholm, on behalf of the Call Committee

Community Church

Call Committee Update (December 3, 2007)

“Another step forward” is a key phrase that we on the Call Committee use often in relating our progress. Some of these steps are quite small – almost undistinguishable – while others signify great strides. Yet these steps are affirmation that we are indeed moving forward, step by step.

For the committee, a noteworthy step forward came this week when we conducted a mock interview. This coaching helped to further our sense of being prepared and confident that in this first round of interviews we are connecting on issues essential to Holy Trinity’s ministry. Candidates chosen for initial interviews are now being contacted.

Lynda Nordholm, on behalf of the Call Committee

Community Church 8/13

Call Committee Update #2

Particular care has been taken by the Call Committee during these initial meetings to clarify tasks and to reason through the dynamics by which the group will operate. Its first strides at establishing respectful guidelines, realizing the gifts of one another, and reaching agreement on foundational elements, point to the committee coalescing as a group.

Absorbing the findings and implications of the COMPASS Team report is the next task, while awaiting the Team's nearly completed recommendations for staffing options. At the same time, another reading on transition in churches and size/structure of congregations is being considered.

In striving to keep the congregation aware of the Call process, various channels of communication are being explored. Regular announcements during Sunday worship services are beginning this week, in addition to weekly articles in the Community Church. A strong likelihood exists for having a dedicated voice mail and e-mail address which would link congregational members directly to the Call Committee. Other possibilities might include space on Holy Trinity's website and perhaps a "blog".

Scheduled next for the Call Committee are meetings on Monday, August 13th and Tuesday, September 4th, the initial meeting with Bishop Craig Johnson of the Minneapolis Area Synod.

Your conversations, questions, concerns, and recommendations are invited and encouraged by the Call Committee. Please feel free to speak with any member directly or by phone listed in last week's article. [Please note the correction of Korla Masters' cell phone number: 612-251-1430.]

Please continue to pray for the Call Committee as we navigate the search process and begin to discern calling the next lead pastor of Holy Trinity in the months ahead.

Lynda Nordholm

on behalf of the Call Committee

Community Church 8/6

Call Committee Update #1

Realizing a strong imperative to keep the congregation aware of its progress and in striving for transparency in the process, the Call Committee will include an “update” in each week’s Community Church -- whether or not the Committee meets that week.

Retracing the First Steps

Holy Trinity’s Council appointed six members of the congregation to form the committee that will discern, interview and make recommendation for calling its next pastor. Those member representatives are: Cliff Brown, Mike Mann, Korla Masters, Lynda Nordholm, John Sulzbach, and Dawn Wieczorek -- with Bob Hulteen (Council President) serving in the capacity as ex-officio).

Having been installed at worship on July 8^th, the Call Committee first met that afternoon with the Executive Committee of Council to begin framing the process and to coordinate schedules for initial meetings.

Along with representative members of the COMPASS Team, the Call Committee next convened July 29^th to hear findings, implications and recommendations from the team’s final report. (Note that copies of the COMPASS Team report are available for congregational reading from the church library).

August 3^rd was the Call Committee’s first “solo” meeting. Sorting through procedural issues, establishing ground rules, and defining particular tasks made for a full agenda -- but also allowed for building an understanding of ways in which the committee will work together. With willing spirits and recognition of the variety of gifts within the group, the Call Committee identified and sorted out tasks for which each member will assume responsibility. The Committee is built on the accord that no one task is any more or any less important than another -- but rather all work together for the good of the whole:

Recorder Mike Mann (Bob Hulteen)

Programmer Dawn Wieczorek

Communicator (oral) Korla Masters

Correspondent (written) Lynda Nordholm

Convener John Sulzbach

Connecter (synod) Cliff Brown

Next Steps

Call Committee meetings are set for August 9^th and 13^th. In addition, a remainder group of the COMPASS Team will meet in the near future with the Call Committee to look at likely staffing models/options.

Conversations, questions, concerns, and recommendations are invited and encouraged by the Call Committee. Please feel free to speak to any one of its members directly. The next update will provide an email address by which you might also contact the Call Committee electronically. Following are contact phone numbers:

Cliff Brown 612-347-1707

Mike Mann 612-724-4454

Korla Masters 612-251-1430

Lynda Nordholm 612-724-8190

John Sulzbach 612-722-5912

Dawn Wieczorek 651-487-9608

As Holy Trinity moves forward with the shaping of things to come, please continue to pray that the Holy Spirit speaks to us about what God’s desire is for this community.

Lynda Nordholm

on behalf of the Call Committee