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The Next Step - #4 General Presbyter
Barbara Smith has begun to send Personal Information Forms to the Personnel Committee. A Personal Information
Form, which is submitted by an applicant for the position of interim pastor of Hickory Street, includes information about
a minister’s educational background, work experience, areas of expertise, and expression of faith. The
committee is reviewing these applications and, in two cases, has listened to recorded samples of applicants’ preaching.
We have authorized Barbara Smith to conduct a nationwide search, further expanding the pool of potential candidates.
As we proceed through this process, we are grateful for the services of the Rev. Richard Wright and the Rev. James
Marsh, honorably retired Presbyterian pastors who will be leading Sunday morning worship. During a time of transition, it is common for rumors to begin to circulate through
the congregation. A number of these rumors have come to my attention during the past several months.
Not surprisingly, none of the rumors that I have heard regarding our search or the future direction of our parish is
true! Members and friends of Hickory Street who have questions about the life of the church are encouraged
to approach one of the elders. As so many members are doing, volunteer your time and talents by working
at your church; I believe that labor in Christ’s service helps people resist the temptation to listen to and spread
rumors. Pray that God will work through a faithful interim pastor who will help us determine the direction
of our ministry. On January 28, the church will mark its 156th anniversary. In
late 1855 and early 1856, a group of German Protestant men in South Side used lanterns to light their way as they visited
families on dark winter evenings to secure their interest in a new church. In 1857, despite a nationwide
financial crisis, the fledgling congregation began to erect its first church building. I hope that our
actions in these challenging times honor both God and the spirit of these pioneers whose faith and hard work have made the
ministry known as Hickory Street United Presbyterian Church possible.
David Naeher, Clerk of Session
The Next Step #3 Hickory Street's search for an interim pastor has broadened since my last report in October.
In order to publicize the position to a greater number of potential applicants, the Presbytery of Lackawanna's Committee
on Ministry advised us to complete a Church Information Form (CIF"). This form, which is available to potential
applicants via the internet, describes the mission and ministry of our parish and outlines the qualities we seek in an interim
pastor. I am grateful for the efforts of Ed Peterson, Tom Pappas and Liz Gerchman, who worked with me to complete
the CIF quickly and efficiently. As of this writing, our CIF had been viewed online 95 times and General Presbyter Barbara
Smith had received a number of resumes on our behalf. Barbara is checking references as she prepares to present to our
Personnel Committee the candidates whom she believes to be the most qualified for service at Hickory Street. In this glorious
Advent season and in the coming New Year, what are we as a part of the Body of Christ called to do? Our Worship and
Music committee has worked diligently to schedule capable and experienced pulpit supply pastors who will lead our Sunday
morning worship services until we hire an interim pastor. Attend worship! Hickory Street's
vibrant youth ministries, under the outstanding leadership of Ed Peterson and his faithful crew of volunteers, continue
to bring the message of Christ to young people. Bring your children to Sunday School and to our youth programs!
Gene Hopkins and the choir add the joyful sounds of the season our worship each week. Sing God's praises! The expenses of the church continue. If you have
not yet submitted a 2012 pledge card, please do so as soon as possible! We need god's guidance as we search
for the one who will lead us during this time of transition. Pray for your church! Over two thousand
years ago, the wise men followed the light of the star to Bethlehem. When the star stopped over the place where the
child was, they were overwhelmed with joy to find Jesus with his mother Mary. They presented gifts of gold, frankincense,
and myrrh to our Saviour as they knelt before him May we, too, know that joy as we worship our Lord Jesus Christ. May
we, too, share our gifts with God and his church in this and each season.
The Next Step #2
What is an interim pastor? Why do we need one? The Book of Order, our denomination's constitution, defines
"temporary pastoral relationships." In the Presbytery of Lackawanna, such relationships carry the title of
interim pastor. When a congregation does not have a pastor, the session, with the approval of the presbytery, may hire
a Minister of the Word and Sacrament in a temporary pastoral relationship. No formal call is issued and no formal installation
takes place. We expect that our interim pastor will be invited to serve for an initial term not to exceed twelve months;
that term is renewable, if necessary, with presbytery's approval. The interim pastor is ordinarily not eligible to serve
as the next pastor. Lackawanna Presbytery General Presbyter Barbara Smith is searching for candidates for the
position of interim pastor at Hickory Street. When Barbara has gathered sufficient information regarding potential applicants,
she will forward information about the candidate to Hickory Street's Personnel Committee. This committee will review
the information, interview the applicants, and recommend a candidate to the session. Subject to the presbytery's approval,
the session will then hire the interim pastor.
I have often heard the comment; "Why do we need an interim
pastor? We've never had one before!" Hickory Street has been blessed to have Tom Collins as its pastor for
32 years. Following such a long pastorate, however, we as a parish should enter into a time of reflection during which
we examine ourselves and prayerfully determine the church's direction. What is to be our mission as a part of the Body
of Christ? What are we doing right? What can we do better? An interim pastorate will give us the time to
address these questions, define who we are as a people, and search for the one who will lead us as we continue a tradition
of ministry that began in 1856. I pray that this tradition will continue for many years to come.
David D. Naeher
Clerk of Session
The Next Step #1
This is the first in a series of columns
in which I will describe the events that are taking place as we prepare to mark the retirement of the Reverend Tom H. Collins
and to search for a new pastor. In the months that have passed since Tom announced his retirement, many members and
friends of our parish have asked me questions about the actions that we must take as we enter this time of transition. The
actions are numerous, as evidenced by the 60-step "Vacancy Transition Checklist" that the Presbytery's Committee
on ministry has provided to the Session to guide us through this process. Following as our Lord leads us, we will undertake
this work together in search of the one who answers God's call to ministry at Hickory Street. At the time of his retirement on December 31, Tom will have served
his flock for 32 years -- longer than any other pastor in our history. During the joint meeting of the Session and the
Board of Deacons in June, the officers authorized the formation of a committee to plan a celebration of Tom's longstanding
ministry among us. Wayne Beck (co-chair), Brian Klatt (co-chair), Debra Cron, Eugene Hopkins, Clare Hudak, Carol Jenkins,
Frank Murphy, Deborah Shea, Gloria Siciliano, and I have been working since mid-summer to plan this tribute. The committee has chosen Sunday, November 20 as the
date for the church's celebration in honor of Tom and Leslie Collins. Further information regarding this event will
be mailed to members and friends of Hickory Street in early October. Subsequent installments of "The Next Step" will discuss the role of an interim
pastor as the Session's Personnel Committee prepares to interview candidates for this improtant position. Respectfully submitted, David naeher, Clerk of Session
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