UCG Settled Minister�SEARCH COMMITTEE��SEMINAR�February 15, 2026

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About this seminar

• Who: Talia’s perspective
• Why: purpose of Search Committee
• When: a brief timeline
• What/How: report on progress, chalk talk thoughts

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Where = here & now

Members

1. Barbara Gibbs
2. Benny White (youth)
3. Berta Hernandez
4. Cody Gusto
5. Heidi Stein
6. Helda Montero
7. Jeremy Archer
8. Jim Harper*

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* co-chairs

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9. John Jopling
10. Kathy Funke
11. Lindsey Telg*
12. Malika Green
13. Meaghan Bonnaghan*
14. Robert Chapman

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Rev. Talia Raymond

Rev. Donna Schaper

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Talia’s perspective

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Purpose of Search Committee

• To find the best possible candidate for the settled minister at UCG
• To conduct the search in a systematic way using past search documents and UCC recommendations
• To be as transparent as possible with the congregation by providing a variety of ways to keep people informed of our progress
• To give people numerous forums for feedback and questions

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Quick history since 2007

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May 2007 - May 2009: Rev. Vince Amlin

Jan. 2012 - July 2013: Rev. Shelly Wilson

July 2016 - July 2017: Rev. Talia Raymond

Feb. 2019 - July 2020: Rev. Bromleigh McCleneghan

Oct. 2024 - April 2025: Rev. Donna Schaper

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1 year +

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Timeline in 5 Phases

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Phase 1: Build Foundation & Context

Nov.

Dec.

Phase 2: Write Church Profile

Jan.

Feb.

March

Phase 3: Recruitment & Review

Apr.

May

June

Phase 4: Interview Process

July

Aug.

Sept.

Job description, budget, post UCG profile

Recruit, screen, rank candidates

Initial interviews

Final steps

Covenant, history, planing, engagement with UCG

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Phase 5: Gainesville Interview/ Visit

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Report on Progress

“It’s not like this every search”

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Chalk Talk: Purpose

• Held a “chalk talk” during the 2/1 Sunday service to provide the congregation an opportunity to share feedback about:�
• Current “state” of UCG
• Emergent challenges & opportunities
• Characteristics in a new settled minister
• How to engage with new minister to ensure continued growth and health

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• Designed to support overall effort to conduct a successful search and identify the right candidate

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Chalk Talk: Process

• A lot of planning & preparation involved!�
• Deliberated on three critical questions to pose during prior search committee meetings�
• Wrote out questions during 1/21 search committee meeting

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• Met on Saturday, 1/31 to arrange tables and chairs for the event and lay out paper sheets�
• Created an online form for those streaming the service�
• “Analysis” is ongoing

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Chalk Talk: Preliminary Takeaways (Q1)

“How would you describe UCG to someone who has never heard of us?”�

Core Identity Themes

• Deeply welcoming, inclusive, and affirming — a place of belonging
• Progressive and justice-oriented, publicly engaged in social issues
• Rooted in the teachings of Jesus, but spiritually expansive and non-dogmatic
• A community of seekers — open to questioning and diverse faith backgrounds
• Strong emphasis on music, arts, and creativity
• Relational and participatory — described as family-like
• A place that “practices what it preaches”�

Overall Characterization

• Progressive
• Inclusive
• Community-centered
• Creative
• Spiritually open
• Actively engaged

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Chalk Talk: Preliminary Takeaways (Q2)

“What are the emerging challenges and opportunities in our role in the community?”�

Primary Challenges Identified

• Political polarization and democratic erosion
• Climate of fear, burnout, and media-driven hopelessness
• Ongoing social inequities (racism, poverty, sexism, homophobia, immigration violence)
• Deepening societal divisions
• Volunteer fatigue and internal capacity constraints

Primary Opportunities Identified

• Serve as a bridge-builder across divides (Left/Right, PoC/White, Financially Secure/Precarious, etc.)
• Advocate for justice in a loving and grounded manner
• Form coalitions with other groups and faith communities
• Create and sustain hope-filled messaging and spiritual steadiness
• Provide safe, affirming spaces for marginalized communities

Overall Framing

• UCG is called to be a bright, stabilizing presence in a divided environment�
• Collective role: combine advocacy + empathy + community-building

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Chalk Talk: Preliminary Takeaways (Q3)

“How will you engage with the new minister to ensure/encourage collective flourishing?”

Key Engagement Themes

• Strong commitment to active participation and shared leadership�
• Show up, share gifts, engage in dialogue, collaborate�
• Support the minister through encouragement, trust, and care�
• Maintain UCG’s progressive, inclusive, justice-centered identity�
• Foster continued spiritual openness and curiosity

Collective Commitments

• Build on participatory energy and consensus culture�
• Strengthen community connection and mutual support�
• Continue serving beyond the congregation�
• Grow together rather than rely solely on ministerial direction�

Overall Framing

• Flourishing is collective, relational, and co-created�
• The minister is a partner in shared leadership — not the sole driver

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Listening

• All Board kickoff meeting on Feb. 1
• Online listening sessions
• Committees
• Lunch groups

Your feedback helps, such as with interview questions

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• Example: How do you balance the squeaky wheel vs. the majority?

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Monday 6 p.m. on Zoom

Friday 6 p.m. on Zoom

Ranking activity

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Thank you

UCG Settled Minister�SEARCH COMMITTEE