This is an exciting time for FUSF. We are hopefully close to calling a new minister. Unlike a traditional search for a settled minister, as we pursued last year, this search is for a two-year Contract-to-Call minister. In this case, the Board enters into a contract with the Minister, with the ultimate goal for the congregation to formally call them as our settled Minister prior to the end of the two-year contract.   

A Refresher
As you know, we commissioned a Search Team in September to enter and follow the UUA process to find a candidate to replace Rev. Bev as she comes to the end of her time with us this July.   

This year’s Search Team benefited from all the hard work of last year’s team, such as cottage meetings, the congregational survey, and anti-bias workshops, and we were not required to pay additional funds to the UUA or repeat these trainings and processes. 

Instead, this year’s Search Team was able to focus on updating and refreshing our congregational profile in order to put our best foot forward. We have a strong and hopeful story to tell, with our growing membership, vibrant religious education program, active social justice work, an excellent staff and our financial stability.  

As was reviewed at the January Congregational Conversation, the Search Team would be spending their time this winter in deep discernment regarding which candidates would be the best fit for FUSF. They have been hard at work reviewing packets, listening to sermons, conducting interviews and completing reference calls.  

As part of the candidates’ discernment regarding FUSF, the candidates reached out and also spoke to Rev. Bev, minister-to-minister. She knows us best, and has told her colleagues that they should seriously consider our congregation.

For confidentiality reasons, neither Rev. Bev or the Search Team can share who they spoke with or how many candidates applied, but we can say that we remain positive about the process and the potential for a match. 

Where are we now? 
The discernment phase is coming to a close. By Easter, we hope to announce that we have made a match and the name of our new Minister. The announcement is dependent upon the signing of a contract and agreement on the timing of announcement. The timing is important as our new minister needs to tell the congregation they are currently serving that they are leaving.  

In community, 
Caitlin MacDonald (President BoT), Rev. Bev, and Vicki Coates (Chair, Search Team)