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Letter Sent to Congregation
on Pastor Status
9/5/2008
September 5, 2008
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Following the news that the Rev. Leonard Sponaugle had taken another call, the Session met twice to consider various ministerial options to lead Bower Hill into the future. Based on prayerful discussions between the Rev. Laurie Sponaugle, Session and Presbytery, Laurie will continue at Bower Hill in her half-time pastoral role while circulating her resume to seek another ministry where God can best use her gifts. She will be with Bower Hill to launch the fall educational program and will continue with her current duties until such time as she finds another position.
As a result, Session has decided to begin the process of calling a full-time pastor for Bower Hill. At the last meeting, Session formed a Transition Team whose objective it is to find a full-time interim pastor and recommend that pastor to the Session. The Session, in consultation with the Presbytery, has responsibility for hiring the interim pastor. The Transition Team members include Ruling Elders Bill Cadwell, Glenn Child, Joan McAnulty, and Pat Jacobs, and congregation member and former Elder, Jim Burke.
The goal of the Transition Team is to have an interim pastor in place by the end of October. Until we hire an interim, Session will work with Presbytery to insure that additional resources are provided to assist Laurie as she continues to fulfill the pastoral needs of the congregation.
Once the Session hires an interim pastor, the next step to be taken is the congregational election of a Pastor Nominating Committee charged with finding a full-time called pastor for Bower Hill. We realize that many are concerned about the issue of the lengthy process required in the Presbyterian Church to call a new pastor. Over the past few years, our Presbytery has worked very hard to shorten the time that it takes for the PNC to complete its work, so we do not anticipate that the path ahead is as lengthy as that previously experienced at Bower Hill.
We ask for the congregation’s prayers and support as the Session and the Transition Team move ahead to seek God’s will for Bower Hill and for Leonard and Laurie as they look forward to new phases of their ministry for God in Christ.
Yours in Christ,
Phyllis Yohe, Clerk of Session
Pat Jacobs, Chair of the Transition Team
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