JWM Executive Minister Search

July 1, 2016

Greetings,

The UCC’s ByLaws state that a search committee that is broadly representative of the church be formed to initiate a search to fill a vacancy in the office of an Executive Minister.  We are opening the search for the new Executive Minister for Justice and Witness Ministries.  A search committee has been formed and is beginning the process of discernment to find the one we feel God is preparing for this important role in the life of our denomination.  The United Church of Christ will elect the Executive Minister at its March 2017 meeting of the board of directors.

The Executive Minister may be a lay person, an authorized minister, or a person with ordained ministerial partner standing, and shall provide visionary leadership as an Officer of the Church. The Executive Minister will oversee the programmatic work of a Justice and Witness Ministries, which shall be carried out in accordance with the policies, planning, and broad oversight of the United Church of Christ Board.  With the General Minister and President, the Executive Minister for Justice and Witness Ministries will be involved in the overall functions of the national setting, including visioning and planning, communication, development and management of budgets, development and leadership of staff, and implementation of policies adopted by the General Synod and the United Church of Christ Board. The Executive Minister is accountable to the General Synod through the United Church of Christ Board.

Included is the link to the position description and the online application portal:

https://www.appone.com/MainInfoReq.asp?R_ID=1217364

You are encouraged to invite qualified persons you know to apply.  Please send your nominations to Rev. Darrell Goodwin, darrell@mylucc.org.  The close date for submission is September 30, 2016.

The Search Committee is requesting from each applicant (1) a statement of interest in this position. (2) a professional profile or resume, and (3) three professional references.  In accordance with the employment policies of the United Church of Christ, the final candidate will be asked to provide criminal background check.  The United Church of Christ is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant because of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, genetic information, or any other protected category.

Goodwin-Darrell-250.jpgGrace and Peace,

Darrell Goodwin
Chair of the JWM Search Committee

JWM Executive Minister Search Committee

Dale Bonds – African-American, lay female
Ms. Bonds is a member of Central St. Matthew UCC in New Orleans and is retired from the IBM Corporation as a Systems Availability Engineer with a BA in mathematics. Ms. Bonds is a Katrina survivor, rebuilding her home after the storm and instrumental in combining two devastated congregations into the vibrant Central St. Matthew. Ms. Bonds is the former President of the Board of Directors of the UCC Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, Mississippi. She served as Assistant Moderator of General Synod 29, and currently serves as Chair to the United Church of Christ Board of Directors. )

John Dorhauer – Euro-American, clergy male
Rev. Dorhauer was an Acting Associate Conference Minister for five years prior to his call as Conference Minister in the Southwest Conference where he was a courageous community activist.  He holds a Doctoral degree in Ministry with a focus on White Privilege Studies.  Rev. Dorhauer is the current General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, having been elected at the Thirtieth General Synod.

Darrell Goodwin – African-American, ordained male
Rev. Goodwin serves as the Dean of Students at Seattle University. He is a member and founding Pastor of Liberation UCC in Seattle, and served as Director of the Shaw Leadership Program at Boston College. Rev.Goodwin served two terms as a member of the Penn West Conference Nominating Committee, is a member of his local ecumenical clergy group and is active in various community and civic organizations.

Emily Heath – Euro-American, ordained female
Rev. Heath is the Pastor of West Dover Congregational UCC in West Dover, Vermont and holds Ministerial Authorization with a M.Div. and also has a Master’s Degree in Theology. She serves as the Chaplain of the West Dover Fire Department and is a religion writer for the Huffington Post. Ms. Heath served as pastor of two congregations successfully combining what is now one church growing in membership and discipleship.

Julia LeBrell
Ms. LeBrell is a member of St. Paul’s UCC in Dearborn, Michigan and is a substitute teacher. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ecology and in Evolution and Behavioral Biology. In addition to her education skills, Ms. LeBrell has worked as an office manager and program director at Camp Talahi Retreat and Nature Center. She is a member of the Council for Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Ernesto (Ernie) Reyes – Asian-American, ordained male
Rev. Reyes is a member of First Congregational UCC in Glendale, California and holds Ministerial Authorization with an M.Div. He is the Assistant Administrator and Chaplain of Los Angeles Hospice, Inc. He previously served local churches. After serving active duty in the enlisted ranks of the US Army, he was commissioned a Captain in the Army Chaplaincy and served in the US Army Reserves for nine years. Rev. Reyes currently serves as the Vice-moderator of the Pacific Islander Asian American Ministries.

Franz Rigert – Euro-American, ordained male
Rev. Rigert served as Associate Minister at Kingwood United Methodist Church in Buffalo Grove, Illinois until a call in 1995 to serve Pilgrim UCC in Grafton, Wisconsin.  Rev. Rigert currently serves as the Conference Minister to the Wisconsin Conference.

Frances Q.F. Wong – Asian-American, lay female
Ms.Wong is a Circuit Court Judge for the State of Hawaii, now serving in a retired-fill in capacity. She is a member of Church of the Crossroads in Honolulu, Hawaii. She holds a J.D. and served as the Senior (Administrative) Judge during her time on the court. Ms. Wong’s undergraduate degree is in education and she taught special education early in her career. She is a graduate of the Pacific School of Religion. Ms. Wong has five times served as Moderator of her local church and has served on various Conference boards and committees, as well as on several civic boards, many related to the arts.

4 Women/4 Men
4 People of Color/ 4Euro Americans
5 Ordained/3 Lay