The Board would like to provide another update on our search for a new minister and the transitional period our congregation is entering. We want to share some information on the types of ministerial positions, the status and timing of our transition process, and some of the changes we can expect during our transition.

Unitarian Universalist congregations generally have one of three types of ministerial leadership: a settled or called minister, a contract minister, or lay leadership. You can find out more about types of ministerial positions at uua.org/transitions.

A settled or called minister is most often a full-time permanent position serving a congregation with at least 125 members, which is larger than ours. A settled minister typically has a full range of responsibilities including leading worship services, creating and sharing sermons, providing pastoral care, and serving as a leader of the organization. The process to hire or “call” a settled minister is usually a lengthy one involving steps of congregational self-assessment, selecting a search team, and interviewing candidates. Once a candidate is selected, a congregational vote is taken with 97 percent in favor as required in our bylaws. This high level of support is to ensure that the minister is the right fit for the congregation since the position is typically permanent until the minister retires or leaves for another position.

A contract minister typically serves a congregation based on an annual contract that can be renewed. Contract ministers are often part-time and serving smaller congregations. They can have a more limited scope of duties that may include only some elements of ministry such as leading worship services. Due to their shorter duration and limited scope of duties, contract ministers are hired by a governing board or by a search team appointed by the board.

San Gabriel UU Fellowship has had a variety of ministerial positions in our 16-year history. We started in 2007 as a lay-led congregation, then in 2012 hired Rev. Mark Skrabacz as a half-time minister. Two years later, the congregation voted to call Rev. Skrabacz as our settled minister and moved him to three-quarter time. In 2016, we made his position full time. Since he retired in 2019, we have had an interim minister, we were lay-led in 2021, then we hired Rev. Jami Yandle as our half-time minister in 2022. This progression shows that a minister can move from part-time/contract to full-time/settled as the situation and our budget and membership have changed. 

In our current situation with Rev. Yandle leaving, the Board is again searching for a part-time contract minister.

The Board has created a job description with an invitation to apply and shared it with UU professionals in the area. We also have initiated the search process with the UUA Transitions office. Currently we are updating our congregational profile in the UUA ministry search site, which is an online job board that allows potential candidates to see our job posting and apply.

We don’t know how long the search process will take. If we find a qualified candidate through individual contacts and networking, we may be able to hire a part-time minister as soon as they are available. If we find a candidate through the UUA ministry search site, that process could take several months or longer. Currently there are more than 90 contract minister postings on the UUA ministry search site (though some may be inactive).

Given the unknowns about the search process, members will need to serve in leadership roles during the period with lay ministerial leadership. We hope that all members will find ways to serve the congregation. 

The Board will continue to provide updates on the transition and minister search process. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact Board President Sarah Smith, Board Vice President Keith Hutchinson, or other members of the Board: Secretary Joe Nesheim, Treasurer John Shaw, and Trustees Chuck Collins, Robert Smallwood, and Vivian Stidvent.

-The Board of Trustees, Dec. 8, 2023