[Grace UCC News] News from the search committee

[Jim Clausing]

URGENT MESSAGE FROM GRACE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

PLEASE READ AND RESPOND AS REQUESTED


After our long search for a settled pastor, the search committee is pleased
to recommend Pastor Keith McDevitt for the position. A letter introducing
Pastor Keith and his wife Jessica follows. The committee is thrilled that
Pastor Keith has agreed with the terms of a tentative call agreement and is
anxious to begin his service to our church.


As per our constitution, it is required that Pastor Keith present a trial
service to the congregation, followed by a special congregational meeting
where a secret ballot is held to officially accept the committee's
recommendation. We announced in church several weeks ago, the date of April
26th was selected for the trial sermon and vote. This was to be preceded by
a meet the candidate potluck supper on Saturday evening, April 25. The
current health crisis facing our nation calls into question the safety of
having these gatherings. We do not wish to put anyone in jeopardy as we
work to finalize the call. We are rescheduling the trial sermon for May 10,
and we will not be having the meet and greet potluck. Pastor Keith hopes to
begin service to our church in early June if everything can be finalized.
The search committee hopes this can be accomplished.


We will schedule the trial service for May 10th with the knowledge that the
health crisis may still be limiting gatherings. If the social distancing
requirements are still in place, we will make arrangements for Pastor Keith
to conduct the service using available technology. It will be broadcast by
video and audio feeds to enable as many of you to participate in the
service as possible. In order to make that work, we need to be able to
contact as many members of the congregation as quickly and efficiently as
possible. We need to know how many of you have access to the internet to
receive an online service. We can also use phone numbers to provide a live
audio feed of the service. If you have not yet been contacted to provide
updated phone and e-mail contacts, please contact Jack Patterson as stated
below.


A key element of using technology to introduce Pastor Keith will be
developing a way for people to vote to call Pastor Keith. We welcome your
input on how best to set this up. We can use e-mail contacts to quickly
share ideas with you. We can use our Dial-My-Calls phone service to contact
any members who give permission to use your phone number to receive
emergency communications from the church. Help us contact you. Please send
a note to the church with a phone number we may use to contact you for
quick updates. Send us a current

e-mail address that we may use for quick contact to update you. Tell us if
you use Facebook and like us at https://facebook.com/GraceChurchLancaster.

Go to our website at graceucclancaster.org if you have internet access.


During the current crisis, the office is only open for short periods each
week. We will monitor phone messages. Please help us keep you updated...
you can contact Jack Patterson by phone at 740-653-5750 or by e-mail at
jackandterrip at gmail.com to give us a quick update. This is an exciting
time. Make sure you have the latest info.


God's Blessing on You All...The Grace UCC Search Committee
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