The interim period: steps in the journey
Westminster is currently in an interim period between called pastors. The Rev Patrick D Heery was Westminster's pastor from May 2016 through June 2023. After announcing his decision to depart, the congregation said its goodbyes and bade the family farewell with gratitude and love. During the summer, experienced "supply pastors" led worship on Sundays, and church leaders and members did the work of the church. The Rev Dr. Stacy Smith served as Temporary Pastor for 4 months from August to November 2023, and the Rev. Dr. Pam Masten served as Temporary Pastor January through May 2024. The Rev. Joe Tagliaferre is serving as Temporary Pastor from July through December 2024.
The congregation elected a nine-member Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) on July 25, 2023 to conduct the search for a new called pastor. The PNC is intentionally representative of the congregation. Meet the PNC here!
The PNC meets weekly. It began by reviewing the church's Mission Study ("Holy Conversations"), which was adopted by the congregation in 2022 and is currently being reviewed and revised after a 2-year trial period.. The PNC completed its Ministry Discernment Profile (MDP) in September 2023, which was approved by the Session and the presbytery's Commission on Ministry. The MDP was then entered in the Church Leadership Connection, the PC(USA)'s site which matches churches seeking pastors and pastors seeking calls.
The Church Leadership Connection matches our Ministry Discernment Profile with the pastors' profiles in its system, and sends the PNC names of possible candidates. The PNC also welcomes "self referrals", and reviews applications which come in through other channels.
The PNC is reviewing applications, and conducting interviews with prospective candidates. Some are being invited for in-person visits at this time. The work of the PNC is confidential as it relates to candidates who are being considered. The PNC will, however, keep the congregation informed of where it is in the process, sharing general information as appropriate. Once the PNC extends a call to pastoral candidate and the candidate accepts the call, a meeting will be called to bring the recommended candidate to a congregational vote.
The congregation elected a nine-member Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) on July 25, 2023 to conduct the search for a new called pastor. The PNC is intentionally representative of the congregation. Meet the PNC here!
The PNC meets weekly. It began by reviewing the church's Mission Study ("Holy Conversations"), which was adopted by the congregation in 2022 and is currently being reviewed and revised after a 2-year trial period.. The PNC completed its Ministry Discernment Profile (MDP) in September 2023, which was approved by the Session and the presbytery's Commission on Ministry. The MDP was then entered in the Church Leadership Connection, the PC(USA)'s site which matches churches seeking pastors and pastors seeking calls.
The Church Leadership Connection matches our Ministry Discernment Profile with the pastors' profiles in its system, and sends the PNC names of possible candidates. The PNC also welcomes "self referrals", and reviews applications which come in through other channels.
The PNC is reviewing applications, and conducting interviews with prospective candidates. Some are being invited for in-person visits at this time. The work of the PNC is confidential as it relates to candidates who are being considered. The PNC will, however, keep the congregation informed of where it is in the process, sharing general information as appropriate. Once the PNC extends a call to pastoral candidate and the candidate accepts the call, a meeting will be called to bring the recommended candidate to a congregational vote.
For interested candidates
If you are a call seeker, we invite you to explore the rest of our website and our Facebook page. You can find our Ministry Discernment Profile by doing an opportunity search in the Church Leadership Connection.
Here are some additional links to documents and sites which you might find helpful to learn more about Westminster:
The Holy Conversations Strategic Vision Report (adopted Feb 2022)
The 2022 Westminster Church Annual Report (narrative and financials)
The 2023 Westminster Church Annual Report (narrative and financials)
The "Beardsley Report" 5-year Property Conditions Study
The website of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse
For information about Auburn NY and Cayuga County, here are some websites to explore:
Cayuga Tourism
Auburn "History's Hometown"
The Finger Lakes Region of New York
Auburn Enlarged Central School District
The City of Auburn NY website
This is CNY
If you are a call seeker, we invite you to explore the rest of our website and our Facebook page. You can find our Ministry Discernment Profile by doing an opportunity search in the Church Leadership Connection.
Here are some additional links to documents and sites which you might find helpful to learn more about Westminster:
The Holy Conversations Strategic Vision Report (adopted Feb 2022)
The 2022 Westminster Church Annual Report (narrative and financials)
The 2023 Westminster Church Annual Report (narrative and financials)
The "Beardsley Report" 5-year Property Conditions Study
The website of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse
For information about Auburn NY and Cayuga County, here are some websites to explore:
Cayuga Tourism
Auburn "History's Hometown"
The Finger Lakes Region of New York
Auburn Enlarged Central School District
The City of Auburn NY website
This is CNY