Kelly Johnson, chair of the Call Committee, gave an update on the call process at the Congregational Meeting on Aug. 29. Hard copies of the rough draft of the Ministry Site Profile (MSP) were made available. The Call Committee plans to complete the profile at their meeting of Sept. 1, and after a final edit will submit the complete draft of the MSP to the congregation via the Bethel mailing list by early next week. Some hard copies will be available in the Narthex for those who don’t have access to email.

What YOU can do:
The congregation is asked to read the profile and give feedback: Does the MSP accurately reflect the comments and direction that have emerged in the past few months from the initial “listening post” gatherings, the two congregation-wide “profile events” and the online survey? Does it accurately reflect the congregation of Bethel? Send your feedback to Kelly. You will have two weeks to respond, and then the Call Committee will process the responses and report back if there are significant changes made to the profile. The MSP will then be sent to the Synod, which will provide candidates to the Call Committee.

Please continue to keep the Call Committee, the congregation, your current pastors and the future associate pastor in your prayers!

The Call Committee met with Rev. Nancy Nelson, bishop’s associate, for conversation about the call process on Aug. 4. Pr. Nancy explained how the Ministry Site Profile (the “congregational resume”) is used by the Synod to determine which candidates to offer to Bethel. She said that there are many pastors eager for calls in the Sierra Pacific Synod.

Pr. Nancy also challenged the Call Committee with these questions: How do we, as congregations, begin to reflect the diversity of the communities around us? Does Bethel want an associate pastor who will help you do what you already do well, or one who will help you in areas where you want to grow?

The Call Committee also had a special meeting with Pr. Randy to hear what he is interested in focusing on as a new associate is called, and what type of pastor he would work well with. Pr. Randy noted that 4 of the 5 team ministries in which he has served over the years were very successful, and that he enjoys team ministry.

Next steps: After the call committee writes the profile and it is presented to the congregation for feedback (hopefully by the end of August), the profile is sent to the Synod, where 3–5 candidates will be matched with Bethel. The call committee will interview all candidates and choose one to present to the congregation at a “meet and greet” on a Sunday prior to the congregational vote to call. The Council will put together the salary/benefits package.

Kelly Johnson is chair of the Call Committee. Please keep her, the entire committee, the pastors and people of Bethel congregation, and the pastor who is yet to come in your prayers daily!

• Community Outreach/Fellowship — We will focus on offering congregation-wide service projects, increasing fellowship opportunities, and presenting “non-threatening” activities for inviting people into this community.
• Leadership — We will create a position for someone who will help us in connecting visitors, new members and existing members to be engaged in ministry.
• Worship — We will continue to emphasize more variety in technology, visual arts, drama and movement in worship.
• Education — We will expand faith development for all ages, particularly in offering regular Bible classes for adults.