Ministerial Search Team Applications
The application period to serve on the 2023-24 Ministerial Search Team is now open through 5:00 p.m. on April 2, 2023.
Please review the job details and complete the online application if you wish to be considered for service on the Ministerial Search Team.
Only applications from voting members of the congregation will be considered. If you are unsure of your voting status, please email song@unityunitarian.org. If you have questions, about the application or process, please email Unity's Board of Trustees at board@unityunitarian.org.
Please review the job details and complete the online application if you wish to be considered for service on the Ministerial Search Team.
Only applications from voting members of the congregation will be considered. If you are unsure of your voting status, please email song@unityunitarian.org. If you have questions, about the application or process, please email Unity's Board of Trustees at board@unityunitarian.org.
FAQs
Do you have to be nominated by March 12 to be considered?
No. The nomination period is to learn from congregants who they think would be a good candidate to consider. Any voting member can apply for consideration through March 30 via the application that will be posted on Unity's website by March 15.
Can MST members from the last search be on this MST?
No. According to the Unitarian Universalist Settlement Handbook, MST members who were part of the last search cannot serve on the next MST.
Does a nominee or MST applicant have to be a Unity Church voting member?
Yes. This will be verified before candidates are presented. If you are unsure of your membership status, please email song@unityunitarian.org.
If I am not nominated, can I apply to be considered for the MST?
Yes. When the application is posted online, any Unity Church voting member can apply for consideration.
Why are you holding nominations if people can apply independently?
Sometimes people who would be good for the task need to be approached about applying, and nominating is a way to open the possibility to people who might not have been thinking about it. Congregants can still encourage people to apply after the nomination phase closes.
Will the Board select the MST members?
The board will review the applicants to create a slate of candidates. Not all applicants will advance on to the slate. Depending on the number of applicants, the slate will be in excess of the seven MST slots. Voting on the slate of candidates will open on April 30 and close on May 7. The four candidates with the most votes will be on the MST. The board will select the final three to round out the MST in terms of identity, perspectives and expertise.
Does diversity of the MST matter?
Yes. Identity and perspective questions are asked so that we can try and pull together a diverse MST. An MST of any one primary identity and perspective does not serve the overall interests of our faith community.
When will we know who is on the MST?
The congregation will be notified on May 14. People on the slate will be notified ahead of the congregational announcement.
Why are there seven MST members this time?
After discussions with our contacts at the UUA, it was suggested and the board agreed that seven members would be an appropriate size for this search (there were nine on the previous MST).
Next Steps of MST Selection Process
- After nominations close on March 12, all nominees will receive an email prior to March 20 asking if they are interested in applying and if so, will receive a link to the application.
- The application will also be available on Unity’s website for voting members who wish to apply.
- The application deadline is April 2.
- The board will review all applications and put together a slate of candidates to present to the congregation. The candidates will be asked to confirm interest and provide a bio.
- The board will provide the congregation with the slate of candidates and bios.
- Online voting by Unity Church voting members opens on April 30 and closes May 7; members will vote for up to five candidates.
- The top four candidates will be automatically appointed to the MST and the board will select the final three candidates to round out the team.
- Candidates for the MST will be notified the week of May 8 whether or not they are on the MST, and the installation of the MST will take place during both services on Sunday, May 14. Candidates should plan to be available and attend both services.
Unity Stories
Wednesday, March 22 • 7:10 p.m. • In-person at Unity Church
Join Rev. Karen Gustafson to share stories of Unity Church that you are carrying in your heart, but may be reluctant to tell. Individual appointments are available by contacting Rev. Karen at kareng@unityunitarian.org.
Join Rev. Karen Gustafson to share stories of Unity Church that you are carrying in your heart, but may be reluctant to tell. Individual appointments are available by contacting Rev. Karen at kareng@unityunitarian.org.
The Interim Monitoring Team (IMT)
The Interim Monitoring Team (IMT)
Every Interim Minister is expected to create a Transitions Team, or as its called here at Unity, an Interim Monitoring Team which is composed of lay leaders who meet monthly with the Interim Minister. They have two primary areas of focus:
It is not unlike what some congregations used to call a Committee on Ministry, but it is unique to the tasks of Interim Ministry. Persons are generally recommended to the Interim Minister by the Board. They serve one-year terms, renewable for a second year.
The Interim Monitoring Team provides important feedback to the Interim Minister about how the ministry is going. They don’t bring anonymous concerns to the meeting; however, they will provide members with a supportive presence if you wish to bring specific concerns or complaints to the Interim Minister.
Members of the 2022-2023 Interim Monitoring Team are: George Anastos, Andrea Anastos, Bevery Heydinger, Peggy Linn, John Sherman, and Finn Schneider.
Every Interim Minister is expected to create a Transitions Team, or as its called here at Unity, an Interim Monitoring Team which is composed of lay leaders who meet monthly with the Interim Minister. They have two primary areas of focus:
- To understand Interim Ministry and to help interpret interim ministry to the congregation and;
- To provide insight, wisdom, advice and support to the Interim Minister so that her decisions and course of action are grounded in the congregation’s history and identity.
It is not unlike what some congregations used to call a Committee on Ministry, but it is unique to the tasks of Interim Ministry. Persons are generally recommended to the Interim Minister by the Board. They serve one-year terms, renewable for a second year.
The Interim Monitoring Team provides important feedback to the Interim Minister about how the ministry is going. They don’t bring anonymous concerns to the meeting; however, they will provide members with a supportive presence if you wish to bring specific concerns or complaints to the Interim Minister.
Members of the 2022-2023 Interim Monitoring Team are: George Anastos, Andrea Anastos, Bevery Heydinger, Peggy Linn, John Sherman, and Finn Schneider.
Board Announces Next Interim Senior Minister
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Dear Unity Church Members and Friends,
It is with great pleasure that the board announces Unity’s next interim senior minister, Rev. Kathleen Rolenz. Rev. Kathleen comes to Unity Church with more than 28 years ministerial experience and interim ministry at five congregations, having completed the highest level of accreditation for interim ministry. She has extensive experience with Policy Governance and has worked in several executive team structures, most recently at All Souls Church in Washington, DC. To learn more about Rev. Kathleen Rolenz, please visit her website at www.kathleenrolenz.com. Rev. Kathleen's contract is for one-year, renewable for a second year if the Board and the Interim Minister discern that the interim ministry is being useful and effective. Unity Church Board of Trustees |
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