FUSP Ministerial Search FAQ
The Ministerial Search Committee is pleased to announce their selection of David V. Leonard as the candidate for our next settled ministry. Click here for a Biography.
The First Unitarian Society of Plainfield (Unitarian-Universalist) has been searching for a settled minister. The Ministerial Search Committee has completed the Congregational Record (CR) and has posted it on the UUA Web site. If you are a minister who might be interested in this ministry, please check the Ministerial Settlement section of the UUA Web site at http://www.uua.org/ministry/settlement.
In the meantime, we are being ably served by our Interim Minister, Rev. Kathie Davis Thomas.
Frequently Asked Quesions (FAQs):
- Who is on the committee?
- What is the search process?
- What is a Congregational Record?
- Where are we now in the search process?
- What about the survey?
- How can I participate in focus groups?
- What parts of the search are confidential?
The Ministerial Search Committee
On July 2nd the congregation choose the new Ministerial Search Committee for the year 2002-2003. They are Rich Strano (chair) strano00@yahoo.com, Heather Brown heathbrown@aol.com, Angela Goldman anjgoldman@aol.com, Doris Lange dlplains@aol.com, Allan Reading readingasearch@aol.com, Bonnie Rowan browan5155@aol.com, and Tawana Williams. Top
- Ministerial Search Committee Selected DONE
- Search Committee holds retreat with District Ministerial Search Representative DONE
- New Congregational Survey prepared and distributed DONE
- Congregational Record revised and submitted to the UUA DONE
- Focus Groups held to enable all members to participate in a discussion about who we are and what we need in a minister. DONE
- Congregational Survey completed by members and returned DONE
- Results of Focus Groups are summarized and shared and added to CR. DONE
- Results of survey tabulated, summarized, and used to complete our description of FUSP and our needs. DONE
- Last year's packet is being revised, including results of the survey. DONE
- Search committee begins considering potential candidates and exchanging packets. DONE
- Search committee sponsors "Beyond Categorical Thinking" program for congregation Nov 17th
- Search committee interviews 3-4 pre-candidates. DONE
- Search committee recommends one candidate. DONE
- Candidating week and congregation votes on candidate.
What is a Congregational Record?
A Congregational Record (CR) is a description of a congregation: its history, its vital statistics, its strengths and weaknesses, it's finances, its programs, its hoped for future, it's description of what it wants in a future minister, etc. It is completed using a standardized form. Much of the CR is factual data, but there are also a number of open-ended questions. The CR is posted online, on the UUA settlement ministry's website. There it can be accessed by all ministers who are currently in search. The Congregational Record is our best marketing tool. It is important that it portrays us thoroughly and honestly, if we are to find a good match and begin our relationship with our new minister with integrity.
An informal packet containing additional information about FUSP and the local area is exchanged with ministers that have responded to the CR that we wish to learn more about. The packet can be found in the parish hall.
One of the tools our search committee has used to involve the congregation in the search process is the traditional survey. The latest survey conducted between August 1 and October 1, 2002 will be reported here. The survey consisted of 14 demographic questions, 5 multiple selection questions, and 2 open ended questions. The committee has tried to analyze the individual choices in such as way as to reflect the collective opinion of all of us.
We are reporting 152 returns out of 260 surveys mailed. This represents a 63% return rate. Interestingly that number also reflects 208% of our average attendance in 2001. We see this as a strong indication that individuals who do not now attend regularly are asking to be heard.
We have 134 members and 16 "friends" reporting. Friends are a vital part of our congregation and represent people who do not join, yet pledge, volunteer, and participate in major ways.
Our responders are primarily longer term members. Those who reported 6 or more years of attendance represent 73% of the total. Many have been UU's only at FUSP.
Our age grouping fits neatly into a
classic bell curve:
13 (76+)
25 (66-75)
55 (50-65)
34 (40-49)
15 (30-39)
4 (23-29)
On questions of gender and sexual preferences we report a 47 to 99 ratio of men to women. While 118 or 78% identify themselves as heterosexual, 23 or 15% report themselves as gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
The religious background of our members is reported as over 65% Christian (63 Protestants/42 Roman Catholic), 16 Unitarian Universalists, 16 Jewish, and 13 no religion. Categories of other included Eastern Orthodox, Pentecostal, Christian Science, and combinations of the above.
As a congregation we are highly educated with 62% of us claiming post graduate work (23 ) and advanced degrees (70 ). We are an employed congregation (95 out of 150) with a fairly significant number of retired persons (37). Our family income covers a wide spectrum, however nearly 42% of us make more than $75,000.
90% of our responders report being of European ancestry. However our families are much more racially diverse. At least 21 families can be regarded as interracial. We are also very married. 78% of us are married or in committed relationships.
Asking Questions to determine what each individuals does, finds important, wants to hear about and desires in a minister resulted in several interesting compilations.
The committee decided to ask the ministerial skills and enthusiasms question directly as in the Congregational Record. We of course desired a minister with skill in preaching with almost 87% reporting that Preaching was crucial or significant. Leadership, Community Building, and Membership Growth were also important.
When we asked why people attend FUSP the responses were: To be Enlightened, Stimulated, Invigorated, and Inspired (86%), for Spiritual Nourishment and Development (72%), To be Part of a Diverse Community (72%), and To be Part of a Caring Community (67%). Over half of us reported attending in order to Celebrate Common Values; for Companionship and Fellowship; to Foster UU Beliefs; and for the Worship Services.
We asked what people did at church. We reported that attending services, social activities, and working on committees were the primary activities in which we were involved. Nearly 70 of us reported spending more than 6-10 hours per month on church activities (excluding attending services).
We are ready to hear a variety of topics at Sunday worship with the largest interest in Moral and Ethical Questions, Spiritual Growth, Spurring Individuals to Act on their Convictions, and Social, Political and Economic Issues. Of little interest was the Bible.
Our survey merely provides an outline of who we are. The Focus Group results are more in depth.
TopBetween 8/18/02 and 9/30/02 the ministerial search committee led 13 focus groups. All members and friends were invited to attend one of their choice. One group was specifically for youth and was attended by nine members of the coming of age class. 103 people participated in the groups. Each group was led by two members of the search committee with at least one additional member of the committee observing and taking notes. An additional focus group was held for the Board of Trustees, church council, and paid staff on October 30th. Results of the focus groups were shared and discussed. A summary of the compiled results from all the groups is available by clicking here.
TopIt is the goal of the search committee to keep the congregation as informed and involved in the search process as possible. There is much that members can do to help: participate in focus groups, complete a survey, host a focus group, review the CR and packet and offer suggestions, and participate in search forums that may be held later in the year. Please do not hesitate to approach or contact any member of the search committee with questions you may have about the search process. You can also help by spreading the word that our congregation is in search. You may suggest or ask others to suggest that interested ministers check out our Congregational Record on-line and submit their ministerial records to us for review. There is much, however, that the search committee absolutely must keep confidential. This includes all information about the ministers under consideration until we decide on a final candidate, at which time we will share as much information as we can. Confidentiality also includes committee business. It is important that as members of a team we are able to communicate openly, and resolve issues among ourselves. Please be understanding if a search committee member is unable to answer your questions because of a commitment to confidentiality.
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