Letter from Foothills' Board President
As I reflect on the transition that Foothills is starting, I feel gratitude for community that we are, for the ministry of the church, and for the progress that we have made in a short time. Only 6 years ago, I was part of a 5-year planning party at the home of Bonnie and Tom Inscho. Someone at the gathering brought up the idea of adding a second minister to our church as a goal for the upcoming years. I remember thinking, “That’s a great idea, but you’re dreaming!” Given our financial resources at the time, this seemed a remote possibility.
The commitments of our senior minister and leadership, matched by the generosity of the congregation, have realized that distant dream. We are well into the second year with Gretchen in the role of assistant minister. Gretchen has led the development of small group ministry, supported the development of stewardship within the congregation, and created an emergency response network that played a vital role in our ability to support those affected by September’s floods. She has led numerous thoughtful and spiritual worship services. Our relations with neighboring congregations have become stronger through Gretchen’s presence. She has provided pastoral care to congregants and become a trusted confidant to many.
During the second or third year of an Assistant Minister’s contract, it is common to review the fit of the minister with the congregation. When this fit is good, there is the consideration of calling the Assistant Minister as an Associate Minister. Based on my experiences and through conversations with others in the church, I believe that Gretchen is an exceptional match. This fall, following discussions with the Committee on Ministry (COM), Marc, and Nancy Bowen, our MDD District Executive, I asked the COM to provide a recommendation to the board on whether calling Gretchen would be the right next step.
The meaning of calling a minister may not come easily to mind, even if you were a member the last time that Foothills called a minister. After all, it was twenty-two years ago. The essence of calling an Assistant Minister into an Associate Minster is the deepening the commitment between the congregation and the minister after finding that there is a good fit. In addition to her achievements, calling Gretchen at this time provides Foothills with the gift of continuity within this transitional period.
I believe that as we move through the Interim process, Gretchen’s presence, affirmed by a congregational call to an Associate Minister, will provide strength and stability to our ministries as we bridge to the future. Therefore, after receiving the recommendation from the COM that the congregation call the Rev. Gretchen Haley as our Associate Minister, and after further discernment and consideration, the Board of Trustees also recommends that the congregation call the Rev. Gretchen Haley as our Associate Minister.
The Board has asked the COM, with Board assistance, to inform the congregation of the reasons for our joint recommendation over the next 3 months. This will take on many forms including informational ‘house parties’ where congregants can gather in small groups to learn and discuss the benefits with Board and COM members. The Board will also continue to staff a table in the social hall to answer questions and receive feedback.
In Faith,
Keith Hupperts, President, Board of Trustees
The commitments of our senior minister and leadership, matched by the generosity of the congregation, have realized that distant dream. We are well into the second year with Gretchen in the role of assistant minister. Gretchen has led the development of small group ministry, supported the development of stewardship within the congregation, and created an emergency response network that played a vital role in our ability to support those affected by September’s floods. She has led numerous thoughtful and spiritual worship services. Our relations with neighboring congregations have become stronger through Gretchen’s presence. She has provided pastoral care to congregants and become a trusted confidant to many.
During the second or third year of an Assistant Minister’s contract, it is common to review the fit of the minister with the congregation. When this fit is good, there is the consideration of calling the Assistant Minister as an Associate Minister. Based on my experiences and through conversations with others in the church, I believe that Gretchen is an exceptional match. This fall, following discussions with the Committee on Ministry (COM), Marc, and Nancy Bowen, our MDD District Executive, I asked the COM to provide a recommendation to the board on whether calling Gretchen would be the right next step.
The meaning of calling a minister may not come easily to mind, even if you were a member the last time that Foothills called a minister. After all, it was twenty-two years ago. The essence of calling an Assistant Minister into an Associate Minster is the deepening the commitment between the congregation and the minister after finding that there is a good fit. In addition to her achievements, calling Gretchen at this time provides Foothills with the gift of continuity within this transitional period.
I believe that as we move through the Interim process, Gretchen’s presence, affirmed by a congregational call to an Associate Minister, will provide strength and stability to our ministries as we bridge to the future. Therefore, after receiving the recommendation from the COM that the congregation call the Rev. Gretchen Haley as our Associate Minister, and after further discernment and consideration, the Board of Trustees also recommends that the congregation call the Rev. Gretchen Haley as our Associate Minister.
The Board has asked the COM, with Board assistance, to inform the congregation of the reasons for our joint recommendation over the next 3 months. This will take on many forms including informational ‘house parties’ where congregants can gather in small groups to learn and discuss the benefits with Board and COM members. The Board will also continue to staff a table in the social hall to answer questions and receive feedback.
In Faith,
Keith Hupperts, President, Board of Trustees