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UDPATE: NOVEMBER 8, 2019
More Candidates Under Review
At the beginning of the month, the Senior Pastor Search Committee received nine more sermons from Agora, which is conducting our national candidate search. The Committee is evaluating the sermons and will provide feedback to Agora this month, even as other candidates continue to move through the long process. Sermon evaluation is just one early step in the search, which (encouragingly) continues on schedule.
Save the date: Please mark your calendar for the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, December 8, at 5 p.m. at Valley Avon. The Search Committee will provide another update at that time.
UDPATE: SEPTEMBER 22, 2019
Committee Shares Process Details
The Senior Pastor Search Committee shared numerous details about the ongoing search at our quarterly Congregational Meeting. Co-chairs Charlotte Hacker and Sam May discussed several aspects of the search, which is on schedule and producing numerous candidates. Check out the highlights from their presentation in our notes section on the left of this page.
UDPATE: AUGUST 24, 2019
Process Moving On Schedule
The Senior Pastor Transition Committee wants to thank you for your prayers as our search continues. The committee met this past week with Agora, which reports that there is a great deal of interest in the position. As a reminder, it was originally estimated that the entire process could take 6-9 months, and we are in step with that timeline.
UPDATE: JULY 20, 2019
Transition Committee Meets
The Senior Pastor Transition Committee met as scheduled with the Agora search team this past week. Applicants continue to move through the process at Agora, which reported that the posting is being received positively by leaders at various Christian organizations. The next meeting is scheduled for August.
UPDATE: JULY 14, 2019
Agora Reviewing Applications
The Senior Pastor Transition Committee is happy to report it is meeting regularly with Agora, which is receiving resumes and reviewing them for consideration. Agora is in active search mode and pursuing prospective candidates. See the full update on the left to learn more and about how you can help!
Click here to view the job posting
UPDATE: JUNE 7, 2019
Full Job Profile Posted by Agora
The search is on! Agora, the outside search firm approved by the Congregation to conduct a national search for our next Senior Pastor, posted the full job description and profile on their website this week. Agora is now in active search mode, a key step in the Senior Pastor Transition process.
Click here to view the job position overview on the Agora site. From there, you can click to the full profile of the opportunity.
UPDATE: MAY 21, 2019
Transition Town Halls Concluded
Thanks to everyone who attended our Transition Town Halls in May. The Senior Pastor Search Committee hosted nine gatherings across all three locations, hearing from Valley attenders about their thoughts and expectations of our next Senior Pastor.
The Committee will use that feedback to assist as they consider candidates recommended by our outside search firm. Your insights will be invaluable in the process!
UPDATE: APRIL 13, 2019
Search Firm Visiting Valley
Leaders from the Agora Search Group are visiting Valley this weekend for several discussions and to experience a worship service at Valley Avon. Malcolm and Rob are meeting with elders, pastors, staff, and the Senior Pastor Search Committee. They've also asked for prayer for their search and for the new Senior Pastor, whom God will call to serve at Valley.
NEWS ALERT: MARCH 31, 2019
Search Committee, Search Firm, Funds Approved
Valley members unanimously approved several important steps in the Senior Pastor Transition process today at a special Congregational Meeting at the Avon Campus.
Katie Greenlaw, Charlotte Hacker, and Kip Mentzer were approved for the three open positions on the Senior Pastor Search Committee. They will join current Standing Search Committee members Bill Lindberg, Mary Marlowe, Sam Moy, and Nancy Parent. Church Chairman Tom Turbiak also announced that the Elder Board appointed Caleb Earnest to fill the elder spot on the eight-person committee, following our church Constitution.
The congregation also approved the hiring of Agora Search Group as our outside search firm, as well as funding for that search. Two-thirds of the funds will be part of the next fiscal year budget.
UPDATE: MARCH 20, 2019
Senior Pastor Transition Question 1:
With the recent departure of our Executive Pastor, how is the staff leadership currently structured?
Answer:
An interim leadership plan has been put in place for Valley staff. The plan spreads Tim’s responsibilities and direct reports across three people already in key staff leadership roles at Valley: Senior Pastor Jay Abramson, Church Administrator Kevin Haskins, and Interim Care Ministry Director Jay Kuhrt. Because the partnership between a Senior Pastor and Executive Pastor is crucial to healthy ministry, Valley will not be pursuing another Executive Pastor until the new Senior Pastor is called.
Pastor Jay oversees Kevin Haskins (Church Administrator), Jay Kuhrt (Interim Care Ministry Director), Susan Hart (Worship Arts Director), and Brandon Sanford (Students and Children). Pastor Jay meets regularly with Pastor Mark Woof (Simsbury) and Pastor Andrew Southwick (Bristol) regarding preaching plans and pastoral mentoring.
Kevin Haskins oversees Pastor Doug Christgau (Outreach) and Pastor Jerry Costley (Spiritual Growth & Discipleship). Kevin continues to oversee Finances, Human Resources, Facilities, and Communication staff. Kevin is an ex-officio participant at the Elder Board meetings and the staff representative on the Standing Search Committee.
Jay Kuhrt oversees Mark Woof (Simsbury), the IT/systems staff, and the front-office staff. Jay also leads and facilitates all staff team meetings. Jay continues to oversee the Care Ministry staff.
GOT A QUESTION? LET US KNOW
We want this space to be the information hub for the entire search process. If you have a question that might be of general interest, please email our Communications Director for consideration. Thanks for your participation!