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Search Committee Selected For The Settled Minister & President Position

By Don Remick, Outgoing Board Chair

August/September 2005

At the beginning of the year the Board of Directors turned its attention from finding an Interim Minister and President to forming the Search Committee for the settled Minister and President.  The process for creating the best possible committee has been a long, thoughtful, meticulous experience.  We began with a request to all the Association leadership and all the Executive Staff, and then received recommendations of possible candidates from churches, pastors and parishioners around the Conference.  When we finally compiled the list we noted that all but one of the names were of European American descent.  We also noticed the list lacked some other aspects that might reflect the diversity of our Conference.  By phone, email and letter we went back to the Board of Directors, the Executive Staff and Association leadership seeking to gather an even broader list of great people.

All the candidates were exceptional, but we could only choose 15.  (The 16th member was the Chair of the Committee, Jill Graham).  We wanted a committee that would accurately represent the face of our Conference in all its variety.  We needed a wide balance, including considerations of such aspects as male and female, clergy and laity, orientation, young and old, experienced Conference volunteers and fresh eyes, and a reflection of the broad diversity of races and theologies among our people.  We also wanted a fair representation from all the Areas of our Conference.  We were grateful to have an excellent list of skilled and qualified, willing and able people. It was a hard and daunting task.

That’s when the Spirit took over.   The committee came together, suddenly, with all the balances in place that faithfully and accurately mirror the face of our Conference.  The Board of Directors reviewed and approved the names.

Here is the list of our Search Committee.  Please lift them in your personal and church prayers. 

Search Committee Members

Ms. Aida M. Bruns

Mr. Arthur E. Clark

Ms. Lisa De Paz

The Rev. Mr. W. Alan Froggatt Jr.

The Rev. Ms. Jill D. Graham

Mr. Richard M. Harter

Ms. Juanita Shavers*

Mr. Hooks K. Johnston

The Rev. Mr. Kenneth Landin

The Rev. Dr. Phillip Joseph Mayher

Ms. Erin Neil*

The Rev. Dr. Brian Arnold Miller

The Rev. Ms. Beverly Prestwood-Taylor

Ms. Mary Alice Stahleker

The Rev. Ms. Wendy Elizabeth Vander Hart

The Board of Directors also affirmed the appointment of the Rev. Ms. Jill D. Graham as chair of the committee.

*At press time, it was reported these two people replaced original members who resigned.  They have been appointed by the Chair of  the Board of Directors and will be affirmed at the Board’s Fall meeting.