Pastoral Search Process

Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
2 September 2020

In March 2020, the Pastoral Search Committee here at Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church concluded many months of work -- both by the committee itself and by the congregation -- by recommending that Rev. Dr. Leslie Foley be called as our settled pastor. The process was interrupted by the Coronavirus and COVID-19, but on August 23 the church met via Zoom for discussion on that recommendation, and then the membership voted by written ballot. Those ballots have now been received and tallied.

I am pleased to announce that the membership has voted in favor of the recommendation, and so Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, is calling Rev. Dr. Leslie Foley as its settled pastor. Roy and I notified Leslie this evening via Zoom, and she has accepted the call. Please join me in welcoming Leslie as our settled pastor!

We will find an appropriate way to celebrate, but for now please say a prayer of joy and thanksgiving as we move into this new phase of our ministry at Westbrook-Warren. We offer a very big thank you to the Search Committee for all their work guiding us through and finding room for the Holy Spirit in this process.

And thanks to you -- the members and friends of WWCC -- for your patience and prayers through this process.

Martha Day, Moderator
Roy Leighton, Vice Moderator

Information prepared for the congregational meeting held on Sunday, August 23 via Zoom.

The purpose of the meeting was to hear comments, ask questions, and share opinions on the Search Committee’s recommendation to call Rev. Dr. Leslie Foley as our settled pastor. A vote was NOT taken at the Zoom meeting; ballots were mailed to members by US Mail. Ballots were to be returned to the church by end of day September 1, 2020.

Get more info on the meeting:

1. Call to Congregational Meeting

2. Letter from the Moderator

3. Pastoral Search Committee Steps Taken (also listed below)

4. Info and Questions

5. Zoom info and meeting details (including practice sessions prior to meeting)

Pastoral Search Committee Steps Taken

Summary August 2020

• Church Survey was completed (see survey results)

• Table Talks were held

• Church Profile was created using the following guiding principles (see Church Profile)

  1. Who Are We?

  2. What Are We Called To Do?

  3. Who Is Our Neighbor?

• Profile was submitted to the Church Council for approval

• Profile was submitted to UCC Conference Minister for approval

• Decision was made to request profile from Transitional Minister

• Decision was made to interview Transitional Minister

• Search Committee decided unanimously that Rev. Dr. Leslie Foley, BCC is the person who God is calling to lead our church.

• A meeting was held to determine compensation and benefits package and an agreement was reached pending congregational vote.

Martha LaViolet, Stan Roth, Bonnie Wright, John Spearen, Lorena Delcourt

wwccsearch@gmail.com

Questions about the Search Process