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. In August, the Rev Dr. Stacy Smith began a short term 4-month assignment as Temporary Pastor.
Meanwhile, the congregation elected a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) to conduct the search for a new called pastor. The ten-member PNC was elected June 25, and is intentionally representative of the congregation. Meet the PNC here!
The PNC met weekly throughout the summer, reviewing the church's Mission Study ("Holy Conversations"), which was adopted by the congregation in February of 2022, and is now in a trial period of implementation. Four congregational listening sessions were also held in July and August to inform the work of the PNC. The PNC completed its Ministry Discernment Profile (MDP) in September, which was approved by the Session and the presbytery's Commission on Ministry. The MDP has been entered in the Church Leadership Connection, the PC(USA)'s site which matches churches looking for pastors and pastors looking for calls.
The Church Leadership Connection will match our Ministry Discernment Profile with the pastors' profiles in its system, and send the PNC names of possible candidates. The PNC also welcomes "self referrals", and will review applications which come in through other channels.
The next steps for the PNC will be reviewing applications, and then beginning to schedule and conduct interviews with prospective candidates. 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.
Meanwhile, the congregation elected a Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) to conduct the search for a new called pastor. The ten-member PNC was elected June 25, and is intentionally representative of the congregation. Meet the PNC here!
The PNC met weekly throughout the summer, reviewing the church's Mission Study ("Holy Conversations"), which was adopted by the congregation in February of 2022, and is now in a trial period of implementation. Four congregational listening sessions were also held in July and August to inform the work of the PNC. The PNC completed its Ministry Discernment Profile (MDP) in September, which was approved by the Session and the presbytery's Commission on Ministry. The MDP has been entered in the Church Leadership Connection, the PC(USA)'s site which matches churches looking for pastors and pastors looking for calls.
The Church Leadership Connection will match our Ministry Discernment Profile with the pastors' profiles in its system, and send the PNC names of possible candidates. The PNC also welcomes "self referrals", and will review applications which come in through other channels.
The next steps for the PNC will be reviewing applications, and then beginning to schedule and conduct interviews with prospective candidates. 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 pastoral candidate, we invite you to explore the rest of our website and our Facebook page. Here are some additional links to documents 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 "Beardsley Report" 5-year Property Conditions Study
The website of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse
For information about Auburn 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
If you are a pastoral candidate, we invite you to explore the rest of our website and our Facebook page. Here are some additional links to documents 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 "Beardsley Report" 5-year Property Conditions Study
The website of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse
For information about Auburn 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