Hope Church is in the middle of a transition of its pastoral leadership. We are currently being served by an interim pastor and preparing to search for a new permanent pastor. This page will provide updated information as the transition progresses. Here are the main steps we have taken so far.

Interim Pastor

The Rev. Wendy Miller Olapade came to Hope Church as interim pastor in the summer of 2008, and we anticipate that she will be with us well into 2009 until a permanent pastor is secured. Rev. Wendy comes to Hope Church with a variety of chaplaincy, settled pastoral and interim pastor experience. Here is a more detailed biography.

Church Profile

As an early step in the transition process, this profile of Hope Church was developed.

Nominating Committee

Hope Church established a Nominating Committee, charged with identifying the gifts of other covenant partners and inviting them to serve in various ways. The committee nominated members for the Leadership Circle and the Pastoral Search Committee, who were then elected by the congregation. The Nominating Committee's members are: Laura Everett (chair), Bruce Baker, Kate Dare-Winters, Melissa Kreider, Beverly Pacheco, and J Conlon (ex oficio as Moderator of Hope Church). 

Bylaws

A set of bylaws for Hope Church were adopted at a congregational meeting on Nov. 23, 2008.

Leadership Circle

A three-year rotation has been established for positions on Hope Church's Leadership Circle. Four vacant positions were filled through nominations by the Nominating Committee followed by a congregational election on Dec. 7, 2008. Leadership Circle members for 2009 are J Conlon (Moderator), John Brock, Bob Drake, Christie Dustman, Kathie Mainzer, Stacey Schamber, Frank Stevens, Kevin Tucker, and Judy Wagoner.

Pastoral Search Committee

A Pastoral Search Committee was nominated by the Nominating Committee and then elected by the congregation on Dec. 7, 2008. Its task is to conduct a search for a permanent pastor; here are details of the committee's responsibilities and charges. The committee's members are Beth Chandler (chair), Nancy Azar (recording secretary), Robin Joyce (chaplain), Bob Brown, LK Case, Kate Covintree, Deborah Malone, Chad Smith, and a Leadership Circle member to be determined.