Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth 
Interim Ministry Transition Team : Listening Session with the congregation
Sunday January 20, 2008
Kathy Heltzer convened approximately 30 people after the service. The purpose of the meeting was described by Kathy to discuss the length of the Interim ministry and to present the outline of commitments throughout the next two years through a visual timeline. The purpose of the Interim Ministry Team's role was described as a group "to facilitate the five developmental tasks" as outlined previously in Sally's sermon. Kathy reviewed them to remind us of the work needed to be accomplished during the Interim transition time. Kathy also described the role of the Ministry team as NOT being the search committee for the Interim minister or the Settled minister.
The question for discussion was posed as: "Should the Interim time remaining be one year or two years?"
The timeline was presented by Judy Blanck and Kathy. The dates of current commitments such as the Prairie Star conference and the planning time for next years' gathering in Duluth, the 18 month process for the Settled minister...and the dates for "Opening our Doors" conference and the building dedication were highlighted.
Some of the responses were: Since we have had just one minister for a long time, it might be better to experience 2 more styles of ministry. The question was posed, "Would the next two years be one or two different ministers?" The response from the team was that it might be easier to get one interim for two years. One congregant reminded us of the difference between moving one minister versus two!
A board member expressed his rationale for a one year. His experience was that it would take a church too long to recover from two more years. He is concerned about the financial picture of the congregation as well. Our budget is counting on new growth. He feels that we were in a mode that had a strong lay leadership group, NOT just Karen and that we already have been in the process of doing a number of the developmental tasks during our building process.
Another congregant expressed a need to be settled. We have been in transition too long. The sooner we can be settled with a new minister the sooner we can settle into our new building.
Other questions posed; "Is there enough energy for lay leadership?" With all of the work outlined on the timeline, do have we enough core lay leaders? A point was made regarding the time commitment for the search committee for the settled minister. Not only the 18 month timeline was highlighted, but one board member has heard it consumes as much as 10-20 hours per week.
"Will there be enough growth during the Interim period? The response was, "We will need to look for an Interim that can help us grow."
"How will the final decision be made? The response was, "The board will make the final decision with a recommendation from the Interim Ministry Team and the feedback from these sessions."
There was much agreement around ..."if the decision was to go for two years, we should get the same minister." This would provide for some stability and consistency. In response to the concern, "Will we look like a lost congregation without a settled minister?" A frequent attendee (nonmember) stated the notion of being a "lost congregation without a minister" is not a perception she agrees with or thinks that it is a perception within the community.
A straw vote was taken...6 people voted for 1 year; 14 people voted for 2 years.
Ruth Strom McCutcheon
Recorder