Transition Communication #3

April 8, 2009

Important Notice: All members of the Living Water Congregation are asked to read through this update thoroughly. This communication provides a status on the transition process, an update regarding Pastor Marcia and dates for upcoming events.

Transition Process: Much has happened at Living Water since our last formal Transition Communication. In the first communication, we outlined the 5 Pastoral Leadership Transition Steps provided by the ELCA Grand Canyon Synod. As we move into Step 3, the Church Council wanted to provide you an update on our progress to date and the next steps as we move toward identifying our new Senior Pastor.

Step 1 - Your Pastor Resigns or Retires - This step was completed in 2008 with the resignation of Pastor Tim, notification to the Bishop of our Synod, meetings with the Synod regarding the Interim Process and the exit interview and farewell for Pastor Tim.

Step 2 - Interim Ministry Begins - This step included the identification of Pastor Brian as our Interim Senior Pastor, forming the Transition Team, and completing the five development tasks of the interim time in ministry. The five tasks included:

1. Coming to terms with our history - completed through the individual interviews conducted by Pastor Brian and the History Day held on

January 24. In addition, the Transition Team completed a comprehensive Congregational Profile.

2. Clarifying Your Identify - created through the focus groups held in February and March of this year and summarized in the Transition Report.

3. Leadership and Decision Making Concerns - Identified during the History Day and further defined in the focus groups.

4. Denominational Relationships with the Synod - strong relationship with the Synod confirmed throughout the transitional ministry process to date.

5. Commitment to New Directions and Leadership in Ministry - The Transition Team, Call Committee and Church Council held a retreat on Saturday, April 4 to align on the direction and leadership requirements for our congregation.

The Transition Team provided a written summary of their findings that was distributed to members of the congregation prior to the March Congregational Meeting. If you have not read the report, printed copies are in the Narthex and the report is on the Living Water web site at www.LWLCAZ.org. We commend the team for doing a great job of summarizing the strengths, growth areas, and hopes and dreams of Living Water as collected from our members. In addition, the team identified the desire for Living Water to move from a Pastoral to Program Congregation and outlined the pastoral qualities sought in the next Senior Pastor. A special thank you to Transition Team members, Bonnie Moore, Diane Bothun, Gary Fjeld, Gene Perry, Janice Moore, Lance Jacobson and Karen Olson for their commitment and dedication to this important role.

Step 3 - Call Committee Tasks - The formation and members of the Call Committee were approved by the congregation on March 22. The Call Committee includes one Church Council representative, one youth representative and 5 additional adult members from the congregation. Our Call Committee includes Frank Schmitt (Council representative), Chad Decker (youth representative), Kim Fordiani, Jan Johnson, Melissa Laudenschlager, David Van Driel and Dave Wilder. We ask that you keep them in your prayers as they begin this important phase of our transition.

Step 3 includes the following elements:

1. The Call Committee reviews the Congregational Profile and sends it to the Synod office.

2. The Bishop meets with the Call Committee to provide additional information on the call process.

3. The Synod Mobility Team evaluates congregational openings and reviews potential candidates.

4. Congregational members who identify potential candidates contact them and request that, if interested, they have mobility papers forwarded from their Synod office to the Grand Canyon Synod office.

5. The Assistant to the Bishop contacts potential candidates and forwards the Profile for their review.

6. The Assistant to the Bishop presents names of candidates to the Call Committee.

7. The Call Committee interviews candidates.

8. The Call Committee recommends a candidate for call and notifies the congregation president and the Assistant to the Bishop. The Call Committee presents its formal recommendation to the Council.

9. The congregation president finalizes discussion of the compensation package with the candidate and calls for the congregational meeting to approve the candidate.

Step 4 is entitled “The Congregation Calls a Pastor” and Step 5, the final step, is called “Your Pastor Begins.” Additional information on these steps will be included in future communications.

Pastor Marcia Update: Throughout the process, many members have asked about the status of Pastor Marcia. Her enormous contributions to Living Water as our Associate Pastor, before and during the Transition process, have been recognized and appreciated. After much discussion and prayer, the Transition Team, Church Council and Pastor Marcia have reached a mutual agreement that she will not be a candidate for Senior Pastor at Living Water. We are grateful for her many years of experience, dedication, passion for the ministry, creative approach to teaching and loving approach to all members of the congregation. The Transition Team and Council are unanimous in their support for Pastor Marcia as our Associate Pastor and the opportunities for her continued growth and leadership in our congregation.

Upcoming Meetings: On Sunday, April 26, we will have a Special Congregational Meeting for approval and adoption of the new Living Water Bylaws. The meeting will be held following the early service at 9:40 a.m. On Sunday, April 19, a forum will be held between services to address questions regarding the Bylaws and the Transition/Call Process.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact any member of the Church Council.

Your Partners in Faith,

The Living Water Church Council

Ken Walker, President

Paul McGaugh, Vice President

Kristi Winter, Treasurer

Kris Crow, Secretary

Frank Schmitt

Garrett Smith