Roy Oswald has written a handbook for clergy who are ending their relationship with a parish that is appropriately called, Running Through the Thistles. That image vividly depicts how difficult it is when a pastor leaves and how easy it is to get stuck on the burrs - the mistakes one has made, the relationships that have been sticky, the unfulfilled hopes and dreams.

If leaving a pastorate is difficult for the minister, I believe it is even harder for the congregation. None of you had a choice in my decision to retire. Now you face an unknown, with one certainty - there will be a whole lot more work for the church leaders to do!

This can be a daunting proposition, but it doesn't have to be. It helps to know that you are not alone in this process, it's been done successfully many times before, and God provides you with everything you need to do it well. Sometimes a little knowledge can put a lot of fears to rest, so I'd like to let you know what is happening behind the scenes already and what will be happening over the next year or so.

The first step when a pastor leaves is to designate a Transition Team to guide the process and to pick up the pieces of pastoral work that must get done while the pulpit is vacant. At its meeting on June 19, the Session decided it would serve as the Transition Team and each Ministry Team would be responsible for seeing that pastoral duties that fall under its sphere would get done. I gave the Session a list of the things I have been doing for each Ministry Team to aid them in this endeavor.

The next question that needs to be addressed is, where do you go in the interim? There are a variety of possibilities, ranging from recruiting supply preachers each week to hiring a full-time interim. Session feels they need more information in order to know what the best option for United Presbyterian Church is. Therefore, Session is asking the Administrative Ministry Team to meet this month, assess our financial position, and make a recommendation, such as to hire a variety of supply preachers, a stated supply preacher (which is one person who will fill the pulpit indefinitely), a part-time interim or a full-time interim. The amount the congregation is able to pay for these services will have a direct effect on which path the Administrative Ministry Team recommends. Once that is determined, Session will secure the appropriate coverage for pastoral services.

Session also decided at their June 19 meeting that the Nominating Committee will be responsible for recruiting people who would be willing to respond to a call to serve on a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) in order to choose United's next pastor. The Nominating Committee will present a slate at a Congregational Committee, which could take place as early as this fall, depending on how long it takes the committee to do its work. If you believe someone would be an asset to the PNC, please contact one of the members of the Nominating Committee: Karen Ashe, Donna Bade, Virginia Benck, Pete Heberling, Dan Mucha, Rhea Mucha, and Rose Wales.

You may wonder, at what point does the larger congregation get involved? First, of course, the congregation elects the Pastor Nominating Committee. Later, the congregation will be asked to participate in a mission study to determine what the church members consider the most important elements of ministry. This will enable the PNC to write a Church Information Form that will attract a minister who shares your mission priorities and has the skills you believe are necessary for this call. The PNC will report regularly to the congregation through announcements, newsletter articles, and meetings. Eventually, the PNC will present a candidate to the ongregation for approval. In most cases, the PNC's choice is approved and accepts the call. If that doesn't happen, the PNC gets back to work reviewing more candidates.

These are just some of the steps of what can be a long process. But you are not alone in this work. Our Committee on Ministry Representative, the Rev. Kathryn Mustaro, Interim Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church of East Brunswick, will be guiding the Session, the PNC, and the congregation throughout the transition. She has the training and experience to be a valuable aid to your work. If you would like to know more, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has put out a video, The Call Process, which you can view at http://www.pcusa.org/ocap.

New experiences can be frightening. They can also lead to growth and a closer relationship to God if you rely on him to lead you through uncharted waters. You may not feel up to the task, but God equips those whom He calls. He is always faithful and he wants the church to thrive and fulfill the work He has given it to do. As I John 4:18 says, "...Perfect love casts out fear." You need not be afraid of the tasks God has set before you, because God's perfect love will accompany you through them all.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jean