Welcome to the MLC Pastor Transition Resource Page
The purpose of this page is to provide members information and helpful links to resources relevant to MLC’s pastoral transition appropriate to share in a public space. It will be updated regularly. Members should rely on MLC E-News first for important updates. If you have further questions or concerns please email or call the Church Office at 256.721.0041 during office hours.
Headlines
As announced by Special E-News 11.23.22
Interim Pastor Diana concludes service to MLC on December 25
Intentional Interim Pastor Diana Bottin has been directed by the Southeastern Synod to conclude her service to MLC on December 25, 2022. She will begin an Intentional Interim Call at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church of Huntsville at the start of the year. St. Mark’s has been in a period of senior pastoral transition slightly longer than MLC and been without their associate pastor for several months. As MLC nears the conclusion of its Call process, the synod felt that Pr. Bottin’s gifts for Interim Ministry were best directed to St. Mark’s. Pastor Jonathon Hemphill will continue to coordinate with MLC’s Council and Staff to ensure supply pastors until the settled pastor arrives.
11.13.22 Announcement
Congregation Ratifies Constitution, Approves 2023 Plan for Giving
Members of Messiah Lutheran Church Gathered on November 13, 2022 at 9:45 a.m. in the Parish Hall for the November Regular Congregregation Meeting. Once quorum was met, items on the agenda were brought forward.
The congregation ratified the Constitution which was approved at the Sept 18, 2022 Special Meeting. It will now go to the Synod for final approval in January.
Also approved by the Congregation was the 2023 Plan For Mission (aka Budget) as presented by the Church Council.
Discussion concerning the parsonage was not brought forward.
As announced 10.27.22 by MLC E-News.
Church Council approves MLC Ministry Site Profile
MLC’s Call Committee has completed its first task – finalizing MLC’s Ministry Site Profile. The MSP was approved by Council, rechecked by Assistant to the Bishop Jonathan Hemphill, and is now “live” on the ELCA database of churches seeking pastors. For more information please read the announcement posted to mlutheran.org. It includes a video of Southeastern Synod Bishop Strickland explaining the process which happens after the MSP is finished and a brief explanation of the interview process and ultimately calling MLC’s next pastor.
As announced 8.16.22 by MLC E-News.
Call Committee to be Elected by Church Council September 8
In accordance with the Messiah Lutheran Church (MLC) Constitution, MLC’s Church Council has the responsibility to elect our Call Committee. Nominations for the Call Committee are now closed. The nominated individuals are in the process of being contacted to determine their willingness to serve. Coucil members will be able to review the names of those nominated in advance of the September 8 Church Council meeting.
The purpose and general make up of the Call Committee is summarized on page 13 of the Southeastern Synod ELCA Call Process Manual
Once elected, the Call Committee will be installed on (update) Sunday, September 18 and work to finalize MLC’s Ministry Site Profile so that it can be sent to the Bishop’s office of the Southeastern Synod. Please see the timeline – below.
Special Congregation Meeting September 18 on MLC’s Constitution
The MLC Council has completed their review of the new draft constitution and have set a Special Congregation Meeting for Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 9:45 a.m. in the Parish Hall and via Zoom. Please plan to attend. Quorum will need to be reached to call the meeting to order. Members can hear highlights of the final draft constitution and hear the Council proposed amendment to reduce the quorum to 15% at a Town Hall meeting on September 11 at 9:45 in the Fellowship Hall. It will also be offered via Zoom. Please view the final draft of MLC’s proposed constitution.
Notification of this Special Congregation Meeting was mailed on August 17. Additional E-Mail notices will be sent prior to the dates of these two meetings.
The final draft reflects the results of the May survey of members. Specifically, the constitution now states that the President of the congregation will be elected from the lay members, while both the Pastor and President are voting members (ex officio) of all committees except for audit committee. The draft constitution continues the requirements of our 2012 constitution for two Congregational meetings per year, each requiring a quorum of 20%.
The current draft constitution is also available for review on the Constitution Update Page. There you can also see the progression of the drafts. If you have questions prior to the town hall meeting, please contact any member of the Council or a member of the Constitution Team: Lee Smith, John Shriver, and Mary Ann Stasiak.
Please visit the 2022 Constitution Update page below for information and a timeline of the Constition Revision Process.
“MESSIAH’S JOURNEY”
visual display board is now up in the Narthex.
Stop by and “leaf” your memory onto this interactive timeline of MLC since its founding in 1990. There are instructions and materials on the table to guide you. Be sure to include the year of your memory. Photos will also be collected to put together a Messiah Journey virtual montage. They will be collected by Kari Pitchko. View Kari’s April 24 Temple Talk
Updates & Links
Aug 16, 2022 – Nominations for Call Committee announced in MLC E-News , due by Aug 25.
July 26, 2022 – Results of Ministry Site Profile Questionnaire & Survey
Town Hall on 8/21 and Pizza Roundtable on 8/25 to discuss
July 19, 2022 – Final Draft of Constitution clears MLC Council (see information above.
June 19. 2022 – View Kari’ Pitchko’s TempleTalk, Read the Transcript
Q&A Recap | Transtion Team Research Summary
June 11, 2022 – Q & A Announced, Transition Team Talk Announced for June 30.
June 2, 2022 – Ministry Site Surveys Part 1 Announced, Part 2 Announced shortly thereafter.
May 29, 2022 – John Shriver’s Temple Talk
May 17, 2022 – Constitutions Survey Completed. 81 Members responded. Survey Results
May 13, 2022 – Reminder Sent Concerning Constitution Survey
May 8, 2022 – Town Hall Meeting on Constitution Revisions. Members – see the May 10 E-News for link to recap of meeting and video.
May 2, 2022 – Town Hall Notice and Link to Constitution Survey and Comments Page announced at Congregation Meeting.
Apr 24, 2022 – Kari Pitchko Temple Talk on “Messiah Journey” display
Apr 21, 2022 – Town Hall on May 8 to Focus on Constitution
Feedback on MLC Constitution Posted to 2022 Constitution Update Page
Apr 13, 2022 – Webpage for Constitution Update Created
Apr 7, 2022 – Input on Constitution Sought (E-News)
Mar 13, 2022 – March 13 MLC Transition Team Installed
Feb 16, 2022 – Feb 16 Town Hall Meeting Announcement
Feb 11, 2022 – Move-In Help Requested (See Details!)
Jan 27, 2022 – Parsonage Service Opportunities (MLC E-News, Jan. 27, 30)
Jan 27, 2022 – Welcome Basket for Pastor Diana (See MLC E-News, Jan. 27, 30)
Jan 11, 2022 – Meet Diana Bottin, MLC’s Interim Pastor (MLC E-News, Jan 11, 2022)
Interim Timeline
The Call Process is a journey. It begins when a pastor resigns and ends when the new Permanent Pastor is installed. What happens in-between is a multi-step process of discovery — of looking into the mirror of who MLC is – where it wants to go — and which Pastor best fits MLC. To help illustrate to members the key points on that journey, Pastor Diana Bottin developed an “Interim Timeline.” A poster of the timeline (with a few fun visuals added) is located outside of the church office.
MLC Transition Team
The Transition Team has many roles and objectives throughout the pastoral transition. Please see the MLC Transition Team Purpose, below. One key objective of the Transition Team is to gather information from the congregation that will be used to draft MLC’s Ministry Site Profile (MSP).
Transition Team Members are as follows: Rebecca Mast(Chair) Dan Byers, Kari Pitchko, Mark Thompson, John Shriver, and Janell Zesinger. Aternates: Dana Burton, Mary Ann Stasiak
Members may reach out to the MLC transition teach at:
mlc.transitionteam@mlutheran.org
Transition Resources
Messiah’s Constitution & Bylaws
The governing document of Messiah Lutheran Church is its Constitution and Bylaws.
“Chapter 9: The Pastor” highlights the requirements for calling a pastor, their duties, and the procedures that govern when there is a pastoral vacancy.
MLC’s Constitution & Bylaws – 2022 Constitution Updates Page
A solid understanding of our governing document is essential as it defines who we are and how we operate and makes decisions as a congregation in the ELCA.
Southeastern Synod ELCA Call Resources
“The call process is an intentional time of prayerful partnership between the bishop’s staff and the congregation’s leaders. We believe that the Holy Spirit is active in this time of leadership transition working through both the congregation and the synod staff to clarify the congregation’s purpose and mission in the community and to identify leaders who God may be calling to serve a congregation into the future.”
Download the Call Process Manual
Staying Connected & Informed
Here are three ways members can be more closely connected to MLC through this Interim Period.
1. Attend Services of Worship in-person or online.
As our website message to guests states, “… worship is central to Messiah. Hearing God’s Word and celebrating our Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Miss a service? MLC Sunday 11:00 a.m. services are livestreamed and available for viewing after the service concludes. They can be found on MLC’s online service gallery.
2. Participate, understand, trust, and PRAY for MLC, the call process, and those in transition leadership.
Stay active in the life of MLC ministries as you are able. Read the call manual and MLC’s Constitution. If there’s a church survey — answer it! If there’s a meeting — attend it or Zoom in. Pray for MLC and those serving in leadership positions, the Transition Team and the Call Committee (once it is formed). Trust the process and trust in God’s guidance of MLC’s leadership and congregation.
3. Read your MLC E-News! These e-mails go out around Noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays and also early Sunday mornings. Special notices will also be sent. Members who are not receiving these emails should contact office@mlutheran.org.