Pastoral transitions are highly anxious times for churches. The Shepherds will share information regularly through the weekly email so as to lessen these worries. Please be sure to carefully read these updates and, if you have any questions, ask the Lay Shepherds (Dean Olerich, Katie Grover, Sandra Frampton). Asking them your questions directly will ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information. Asking other people may lead to disinformation, unnecessary confusion, and heightened anxiety.
Pastoral Transition Update – August 8, 2024 The Shepherds have completed the Pastoral Profile and the Assembly is reviewing it. It is so close to being completed!
Pastoral Transition Update – August 15, 2024 For the Pastoral Profile we need three references. We currently have two and are awaiting the third!
Pastoral Transition Update – August 22, 2024 We will be sending in the completed Pastoral Profile to the UCC this week!
Pastoral Transition Update – August 29, 2024 The Pastoral Profile has been submitted and we have a Zoom meeting with the Conference minister scheduled.
Pastoral Transition Update – September 5, 2024 The Shepherds have met with the UCC Council and are finalizing some additional information that’s needed.
Pastoral Transition Update – September 12, 2024 We have given everything to the UCC Council. We are hopeful that our profile will be posted soon.
Pastoral Transition Update – September 19, 2024 We have provided all the information for the Pastoral Profile to be posted. Next steps will be to review candidate profiles as they are submitted.
Pastoral Transition Update – September 26, 2024 Thank you to everyone who attended the Annual Meeting last week! Great conversations and great questions!
Pastoral Transition Update – October 3, 2024 Just wanted to keep everyone informed, however we have not received any information from the Council this week.
Pastoral Transition Update – October 10, 2024 We just heard that our Profile has been live since October 1! We are waiting for instructions on how to receive and review candidates.
Pastoral Transition Update – October 17, 2024 Our Pastoral Profile is active! We are anxiously waiting to hear how we can access the potential candidates’ profiles.
Pastoral Transition Update – October 24, 2024 Our Profile is live. We are now waiting for the UCC to review candidates and then send them to us.
Pastoral Transition Update – October 31, 2024 People are reviewing our Pastoral Profile and will hopefully reply soon. It is a difficult time with the holidays coming up, but not to worry as we have pastoral coverage through the end of the year.
Pastoral Transition Update – November 7, 2024 No big Pastoral Updates today. This is a hard time of year for Pastors to make a change in their own personal lives. But we want to thank you all for stepping up and helping around St. Peter! The love, commitment, and fellowship has not gone unnoticed!
Pastoral Transition Update – November 14, 2024 We are getting pastors lined up for the new year!
Pastoral Transition Update – November 21, 2024 We have started to receive profiles — now it’s time to review them!
Pastoral Transition Update – November 28, 2024 We are continuing to receive profiles and are currently reviewing them!
Pastoral Transition Update – December 5, 2024 The review process for pastoral profiles is underway as we work toward identifying the ideal candidate.
Pastoral Transition Update – December 12, 2024 We have reviewed profiles and are hopeful to start preliminary interviews soon.
Pastoral Transition Update – December 19, 2024 The Shepherds will begin meeting with people and finding out more information.
Pastoral Transition Update – January 2, 2024 The Shepherds are planning to complete their second round of interviews early in the new year.
Pastoral Transition Update – January 9, 2024 The Shepherds are continuing to review the new profiles and will hopefully meet with candidates in the next few weeks.
Pastoral Transition Update – January 16, 2024 The Shepherds are continuing to review profiles and meet with candidates. Pastoral Transition Update – January 23, 2024 The Shepherds continue to pray and are meeting with potential candidates in the next few weeks.
Pastoral Transition Update – January 30, 2024 Over the last 30-60 days we have received 6 designated pastor profiles through the UCC. After receiving instruction from the UCC regarding the process, the Shepherds have diligently reviewed all of the profiles. Each initial interview takes about 1-1.5 hours, and from there the Shepherds will now be meeting with 3 of the designated pastor elects. Once this process is complete, we will inform you of the next steps. This is an exciting time for St. Peter as we get closer to our goal of having the right pastor in place to help us walk through our next steps in transition. The Shepherds thank you for your patience and welcome any questions you may have as we enter into St. Peter’s 125th year!
Pastoral Transition Update – February 6, 2024 The search committee is conducting the second round of interviews, which means in-person meetings and more Q&A to assess suitability and potential match for St Peter UCC as we continue to navigate our next steps. Once these in-person meetings are complete, the search committee will invite the candidates to lead a Sunday service so that the congregation can meet with them too.
Pastoral Transition Update – February 13, 2024 The Shepherds have met with some potential candidates for our Designated Term Pastor. We have prayed and learned many things with each of them. We believe we are narrowing down the candidates. Please join us after service on February 23 to discuss candidates and our building.
Pastoral Transition Update – February 20, 2024 Please join us after service on Sunday (February 23) for our unofficial congregational meeting. The Shepherds will be sharing information about the 125th celebration, a Designated Term Pastor update, and an update about the sale of the church. This will not be live streamed, so please join us in the building if possible. If you are not able to attend, please ask one of the Shepherds for information.
Pastoral Transition Update – February 27, 2024 Thank you for all those able to make the informal congregational meeting this past Sunday. We will be moving ahead with having two pastoral candidates come to lead a service for us. This will likely be in the April timeframe, and we will be keeping you informed as the dates are confirmed. Thank you, as always, for your patience as we work through the process! If you have any suggestions or ideas, please write them down and put them in the Shepherds mailbox or email them.
Pastoral Transition Update – March 6, 2025 After thoughtful consideration, we have taken our Profile down and are working on scheduling two candidates to come to St. Peter. We ask for your continued prayers as we seek discernment and wisdom in this process. May we find encouragement in knowing that God is guiding our church family every step of the way!
Pastoral Transition Update – March 13, 2025 Make sure you join us on Palm Sunday (April 13), as we will be having one of our candidates preach with us. Following the service, please email the Shepherds at
Pastoral Transition Update – March 20, 2025 As we near the end of the search process, the Shepherds receive continued guidance from the UCC Conference this week, and we’ll be happy to share more information with you soon after. Please note that Pastor Bill and Pastor Penny will be hosting our Palm Sunday Service, which will also be our Confirmation Sunday as well.
Pastoral Transition Update – March 27, 2025 The Search Committee has identified a pastoral candidate and is currently working through the next steps. Once confirmed, we will be sending out a date for the candidate weekend and inviting you, the congregation, to vote. Please watch the space for more information.
Pastoral Transition Update – April 3, 2025 The Search Committee has identified a pastoral candidate and is currently working through the next steps. Once confirmed, we will be sending out a date for the candidate weekend and inviting you, the congregation, to vote. Please watch the space for more information.
Pastoral Transition Update – April 10, 2025 We would like to thank our congregation for the continued prayers and well wishes while we managed our way through finding a Designated Term Pastor. We are working on filling out the paperwork to make an offer to one of the candidates, after which we will send out a date for the candidate weekend and invite the congregation to vote.