ST. JOHN UNITED

CHURCH OF CHRIST

WE WORSHIP TOGETHER

NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE OR WHERE YOU

ARE ON LIFE’S JOURNEY…..YOU ARE

WELCOME HERE

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

LOCAL CHURCH PROFILE

St. John United Church of Christ

11910 East Prospect Street

Indianapolis, Indiana 46229

We are searching for a Part time Settled Pastor

Indiana Kentucky Conference

Southeast Association

1. POSITION POSTING

a. LISTING INFORMATION

b. SCOPE OF WORK

c. COMPENSATION & SUPPORT

d. WHO IS GOD CALLING TO MINISTER WITH US?

1A. LISTING INFORMATION

Church name: St. John United Church of Christ

Street address: 11910 East Prospect Street, Indianapolis IN, 46229

(317) 894-7958

Supplemental web links: http://stjucc.com/wpress/

Facebook: stjohncumberland

Additional ecumenical affiliations: None

Conference: Indiana Kentucky Conference

Association: Southeast Association

UCC Conference or Association Staff Contact Person:

Chad Abbott

Telephone 317-924-1395

c.abbott@ikcucc.org Current building

1B. SCOPE OF WORK

Our congregation is in the process of planning a new church building for

which we have patiently waited. We envision our new church filled with

youth, neighbors and disenfranchised individuals who hesitate to join

organized religion. We need a pastor who will help us with planning our

new church building, create a welcoming atmosphere, interact with our

neighbors, and meet our spiritual needs with a smile and the flexibility

needed during our growth.

A Church of Extravagant Welcome

1B. SCOPE OF WORK

St. John is energized to move forward with a new church building.

We have waited so long. A survey of our members indicate the

most top 3 roles for our next pastor to be:

• Write and deliver interesting/enlightening biblically based

sermons

• Develop and lead outreach and church growth

• Attend church meetings/visit the sick and shut-ins

SOME FACTS

• Our church is located in a suburban/semi-rural neighborhood. We are

surrounded by a racially diverse mix of residents. Our surrounding

neighbors are farmers, professionals, and blue collar workers.

• Current membership size approximately 200

• English is the primary language spoken by our members.

• We are looking for ½ time settled Pastor. We will meet the conference

compensation guidelines.

• Hymnal currently used – The Singing Church

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD

St John is located on the boundary of Warren Township, Indianapolis,

and the town of Cumberland. Our members reside in several

counties and towns. Below are websites for our neighbors.

Cumberland http://www.town.cumberland.in.us/

Warren Township http://www.city-data.com/township/Warren-Marion-IN.html

Greenfield https://greenfieldin.org/

New Palestine http://www.townofnewpalestine.org/

Hancock County https://www.hancockcoingov.org/

INDIANAPOLISIndianapolis provides multiple area social and cultural opportunities, among them are:

• Indianapolis Children's Museum https://www.childrensmuseum.org/

• Eiteljorg Museum www.pronto.com/Eiteljorg+Museum/Now

• Indianapolis Zoo http://www.indianapoliszoo.com/

• Indiana State Museum www.about.com/Indianapolis+State+Museum

Indianapolis hosts multiple professional sports teams

• Indy 11

• Indy Fuel

• Indianapolis Indians

• Indianapolis Colts

• Indiana Pacers

• Indianapolis 500

1C. COMPENSATION AND SUPPORTSalary Basis $39,000

Benefits: Salary plus Benefits

• Housing: St John lacks a parsonage, but will provide housing

allowance of $7500 for ½ time. St John is located on boundary

of Warren Township Indianapolis, where housing prices range

from $75,000 to $150,000 for typical housing, and Hancock

County where housing prices range from $100,000 to $175,000

for typical housing.

• Minister is expected to be available for church meetings and

parishioner needs. Local residency is not required provided

minister is willing and able to commute to meet attendance

requirements.

TIME COMMITMENTExpected weekly time commitment is 20 hours for ½ time.

Fixed time commitments are as follows:

~3 hours Sunday mornings (Sunday worship service)

~2 hours the second Monday evening each month (Church Consistory Meeting)

~3 hours the third Thursday evening each month (“Third Thursday” community meal)

~Potentially 2 hours each Monday evening during the summer (June thru August) (Summer evening worship service) and potentially lead Sunday School

~2 hours each Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday evenings

~5 hours Christmas Eve evening

Remaining time commitments for visitations, church activities, worship preparation, etc. can be flexibly scheduled around minister’s time commitments

PEER AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT

Peer and professional support is offered by the Indiana Kentucky

Conference.

Ongoing clergy connections and updates as well as mandatory trainings

are provided by the Indiana Kentucky Conference.

http://www.ikcucc.org/

1D. WHO IS GOD CALLING TO MINISTER WITH US?

Member survey indicates we are searching for a pastor

Who embodies the following attributes:

• Be highly organized

• Be adaptable (we are changing)

• Generally have a high energy level

• Possess leadership skills

• Be accessible

Singing together

2. WHO IS GOD CALLING US TO BECOME?

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

(Matthew 22:37 NRSV)

HOW GOD HAS CALLED US TO ADDRESS

EMERGING CHALLENGES

Activities for community outreach, and fellowship are important

experiments that our church has engaged in.

Community outreach:

Third Thursday is a monthly experiment that provides a home cooked meal

to our neighbors while providing an opportunity for members of our

congregation to interact with our neighbors.

Volunteers cook and serve 65-80 guests each month

FELLOWSHIP AND OUTREACH

For fellowship, we use game night as a way for our congregation to meet

and socialize.

Preparing for our annual craft fair also allows for the women of St. John to

have fellowship time while doing crafts to sell at an annual craft fair each

November. Laughter and a good time is a common thread for all 3 of

these experiments.

Churches volunteer to host breakfasts during the Lenten season. St. John

volunteers to host each year. Our Pastor and members routinely attend

the Lenten breakfasts.

CRAFTING TOGETHER

OUR TALENTED MEMBERS

TEACH MENTOR AND SUPPORT

OUR YOUTH

3. WHO ARE WE NOW?

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39 NRSV)

a. CONGREGATIONAL REFLECTIONS

b. 11-YEAR REPORT

c. CONGREGATIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS

d. PARTICIPATION AND STAFFING

e. CHURCH FINANCES

f. HISTORICAL INFORMATION

Quilt created by church members

WE PRAY AND WORK TOGETHER

Above is a PRAYER QUILT, as each knot is tied a healing prayer is made for the recipient Music inspires us

Taking the light into the world

3A. CONGREGATIONAL REFLECTIONS”YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” (MATTHEW 22:39 NRSV)

The major decision-making committees are Consistory, Deacons,

Elder’s, Board of Christian Education (BCE). The committee meetings

are typically 1 hour each for a total time of 4 hours per month. The

pastor is a non-voting member of each committee but provides

valuable guidance in our decisions. Congregational meetings are

scheduled on Sundays after worship when congregational decisions

are needed. Typically, the pastor attends congregational meetings

and provides a prayer. The Financial Trustees are a committee that

makes decisions on the church’s investments; the pastor does not

attend those meetings.

Upon request, St. John can provide the applicant with a copy of the

church’s structure, bylaws, and annual reports to further explain the

pattern of the church’s activity and governance.

OUR LEADERSHIP IN ACTION

An example of our leadership at work happened Wednesday April 4, 2018 when lightning struck a parking lot light, lightning followed the electric wires to the building where it blew out a large chunk of the asphalt by the church. The church structure was not damaged, but the wires for the parking lot lights, 2 computers, a board in the copier, the projector, and the sound board were destroyed. By Wednesday evening, the church had 2 new functioning computers an electrician had been brought in to check the safety of the wiring and by April 11th, the copy machine was repaired, the wiring replaced and a new sound board was installed. The leadership of St. John made quick decisions on equipment and companies and volunteered their time to repair everything so that worship services and church business could continue without interruption.

Volunteers and office staff at work

3B. 11-YEAR REPORT

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

ELEVEN YEAR CHURCH PROFILE BASED ON DATA REPORTED IN UCC YEARBOOKS

Church#: 181240

Assoc: 244 Schedule: 0 Saint John (Cumberland) UCC Indianapolis IN 46239

ELEVEN YEAR CHURCH PROFILE BASED ON DATA

REPORTED IN UCC YEARBOOKS

Year

Members Ave wklyAttendance

CHR ED/Faith Form

Confirmation Confession Transfer Reaffirm

Deaths or Transfers out

Net Members removed

2007 410 90 62 2 2 11 112 -121

2008 404 85 7 1 1 11 0 -6

2009 415 92 5 0 0 5 0 11

2010 411 90 37 4 4 8 0 -4

2011 380 80 33 2 2 5 0 -3

2012 372 75 33 0 0 8 0 -8

2013 360 70 33 0 0 3 0 -12

2014 354 40 3 6 0 6 0 -6

2015 202 50 8 0 0 9 0 -152

2016 199 56 24 1 4 6 147 -3

2017 194 45 26 0 1 0 5 -5

Year Current

Expenses

Capital

Payments

Basic Support Special

Support

Total OCWM Other Gifts Wider Mission Basic Supp%

Current Local

Total Expend Pledges and

Offerings

2007 $147,004 $0 $10,000 $3,843 $13,843 $1,424 $15,267 6.80 $162,271 $167,459

2008 $142,005 $0 $10,000 $6,654 $16,654 $2,856 $19,510 7.04 $161,515 $124,711

2009 $137,578 $0 $7,384 $2,841 $10,225 $2,234 $12,459 5.37 $150,037 $160,769

2010 $155,658 $0 $3,674 $2,558 $6,232 $4,396 $10,628 2.36 $166,286 $149,908

2011 $158,211 $0 $10,103 $8,350 $18,453 $6,373 $24,826 6.39 $183,037 $185,727

2012 $155,032 $0 $4,200 $3,326 $7,526 $6,682 $14,208 2.71 $169,240 $156,832

2013 $99,708 $0 $5,275 $2,690 $7,965 $4,495 $12,460 5.29 $112,168 $150,952

2014 $105,392 $0 $6,251 $13,801 $20,052 $3,500 $23,552 5.93 $128,944 $135,124

2015 $154,120 $529,073 $5,000 $4,860 $9,860 $5,578 $15,43 3.24 $698,631 $92,902

2016 $139,992 $21,163 $3,875 $10,257 $14,132 $1,500 $15,632 2.77 $176,787 $175,588

2017 $111,545 $0 $9,865 $0 $9,865 $2,600 $12,465 8.84 $124,010 $107,206

AVG WEEKLY CHR ED/ TOTAL TOTAL CURR LOCAL TOTAL

TOTAL

% CHANGE MEMBERS ATTENDANCE FAITH FORM ADDITIONS REMOVALS EXPENSES

OCWM EXPENDITURE

2012-2017 -47.85 -40.00 -21.21 0.00 -37.50 -28.05

31.08 -26.73

2007-2017 -52.68 -50.00 -58.06 -100.00 -95.93 -24.12 -

28.74 -23.58

Please note: Zero values ("0" or "$0") may reflect missing information in some years. Christian Education/Faith Formation refers to Church School Enrollment for all figures before 2007.

ELEVEN YEAR CHURCH PROFILE CONTINUED

3C. CONGREGATIONAL DEMOGRAPHICSHow many participants worship in the church?

%

Estimate

More than 10 years 85% Yes

5-10 years 10% Yes

Less than 5 years 5% Yes

Estimate

Registered members

Actively Attending

180

60

Yes

Active non-members 20 Yes

How long have our worshipers been

members?

Age Number Estimate

0-11 4 Yes

12-24 0 Yes

25-34 1 Yes

35-44 3 Yes

45-54 10 Yes

55-64 16 Yes

65-74

75+

14

25

Yes

Age of our members

ADDITIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS

• Our members range from single adults of all ages to joint households.

• The educational level of our members varies. It is estimated 95% of our

members have at minimum a high school education. At least 40% of our

members have an under graduate degree. 15% have advanced

degrees.

• We welcome diversity within our membership.

Youth artwork

D.PARTICIPATION AND STAFFING

Ways of gathering Number of people involved Who plans this?

Adult Groups/Choir/book

club/Bible study/Adult Sunday

school

5-20 Pastor/Lay

Leaders/Choir director

Baptisms last year 2 Pastor

Children’s groups/Sunday

school/Mentoring

2-6 Lay Leaders

Christmas Eve/Easter Worship 92/90 Pastor

Church wide meals/After service

pitch-ins/3rd Thursday meals

45-55 at after service pitch-

ins/60-90 per month are

served at 3rd Thursday

Lay Leaders

Funerals 2017 6 Pastor

CURRENT STAFF

Position Compensated Supervised by

Part time secretary Yes Deacons

Nursery attendant Yes BCE

Part-time bookkeeper Yes Deacons

Music director/pianist Yes Music committee

Mowing and snow

removal

Yes Deacons

Altar guild/ Sunday school

teachers/treasurer

No, duties completed by

volunteers

Soundboard/janitorial

services

No, duties completed by

volunteers

E. CHURCH FINANCES 2017Fund Income Expenses Yearly Balance Fund Description

Current Fund $95,196.01 $106,378.52 ($11,182.51) General operational and

administrative expenses

Benevolence $12,010.37 $15,560.00 ($3,549.63) Charitable giving

Building Fund $102,373.00 $108,208.00 ($5,835.00) Building

development/improvement

Memorial

Fund

$2,025.00 $0.00 $2,025.00 Memorial giving for

departed parishioners

Fundraising $5,240.25 $969.87 $4270.38 Fundraising

Other $27,069.00 $18,447.70 $8621.30 Other

Total $243,913.63 $249,564.09 ($5,650.46) Total Church Finances

CHURCH BUDGET 2017

Consistory Committee Expense Category Budgeted Amount Percent of Total

Elders Pastoral Ministry $49,426.00 35.0%

Music Ministry $12,143.00 8.6%

Other Ministries $2,650.00 1.9%

Deacons Church Custodial $400.00 0.3%

Church Utilities $23,261.00 16.5%

Repairs and

maintenance

$3,500.00 2.5%

General Administration $23,450.00 16.6%

Rental Property $15,100.00 10.7%

BCE Programming $5,988.00 4.2%

Consistory Programming $5,200.00 3.7%

Total $141,118.00 100.0%

CHURCH CAPITAL (AS OF 4/1/18)Asset Liability Value

Capital Improvement Fund $50,000.00

Trust Fund $100,000.00

Pending Sale of Previous

Property at 11000 E.

Washington

$1,400,000.00

Taxes and Relator Fee from

Building Sale

($200,000.00)

Current Church Structure $300,000.00

Total $1,650,000.00

BENEVOLENCES

St. John is a 5-for-5 church

__ Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM)

__ One Great Hour of Sharing

__ Strengthen the Church

__ Neighbors in Need

__ Christmas Fund

In addition in 2017 benevolences included

C.O.M.E. (Community Outreach Ministry Eastside)

Crossroad

Habitat for Humanity

Local Aid

Young Ambassadors

3F. HISTORICAL INFORMATION

We invite any questions regarding our past ministry

John Krueger, interim 2016-present

Jimmy Watson, interim 2013-2015

Audrey Alexander 2010-2012

Jack Eihacker, interim 2009

Labert Altemose, interim 2007-2009

Dennis & Linda Frische-Mouri 1994-2006

Vernon Hoecker & Victor Schoen,

interims

1993

3F. HISTORICAL INFORMATION

St. John’s story began long before there was a church building. Beginning in 1841, German settlers in Cumberland gathered for worship in their homes. Heinrich Koch donated land for the construction of a church building and school. This small frame building on the National Road (U.S. 40) became the landmark for which German Church Road was named. In November of 1855 fifteen members signed the Constitution of the Congregation and in 1856 the congregation became a member of the Evangelical Synod of North America.

By 1864 church attendance had outgrown the original building and church members voted unanimously to build a new church. The Civil War, however, had made the cost of constructing a new building prohibitive, so it wasn’t until 1866 that the second church building was constructed. In 1872 the church tower bell was imported from Germany. All services were in German until 1912 when the members voted to hold a service in English once a month.

The church members celebrated the New Year on January 1, 1913, by voting to build a new church, the church’s third building. This church was dedicated on July 5, 1914. This 1914 Church building has served us well for 100 years.

The 20th century was a busy time for the Church. The church’s message has never changed, but the name has. In 1934 the Evangelical Church merged with the Reformed Church, and the name became St. John Evangelical and Reformed Church. In 1936 a state-of-the art pipe Kilgan organ was dedicated. The sanctuary was updated in 1954. In 1957 the Church formed a union with the Congregational Church which gave St. John its present name, St. John United Church of Christ. The “baby boom” meant more space was needed, and in 1958 the Sunday School wing was added.

As we entered the 21st century, it became apparent this grand old building could no longer serve the needs of the current and future worshippers. Planning began to erect a new Church on land donated by the will of Harry Muesing at the corner of Prospect Street and Carroll Road (County Line Road). As we prepare to make the move, many of our artifacts will become part of the new building this includes some of the beautiful stained glass windows, our Kilgan pipe organ, which was totally refurbished in 2008-2009, and our German bell. Also included in the move will be generations of memories and traditions. It is our hope that this 4th Church will continue to serve Cumberland and the surrounding areas for another 100 years!

A NEW WORSHIP SPACE INITIATIVEIn 2010 the Deacons and a Long Range Planning Task Force gathered estimates and quotes for the cost of repairs and upgrades needed to bring the St. John Church building back into compliance with various code requirements and standards as well as some repairs needed merely to preserve the aging structure. At that time the cost of those updated and repairs were estimated at $668,690.00.

At that time and through the end of physical year 2013 the St. John budget and revenues were consistently running in the red. At the end of each year the Consistory along with the Trustees found it necessary to use reserve funds along with funds generated from the cash rent of the farm ground of the Church owned “Muesing Farm” property to balance the budget for the ensuing year.

In June of 2014 St. John UCC entered into a contract with Giant Eagle for the purchase of the church building and property at 11000 E. Washington Street at a price of $1.7 million. At that point a new Building Committee was formed and in consultation with the congregation began planning for a New Church Building. It was decided to rezone approximately 11 acres of the Muesing Farm property, develop a new site, and construct a new Church at 11910 Prospect Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. In order to facilitate the relocation and building of a new Church the building committee presented a plan to the Congregation for “site development” at an approximate cost of $250,000.00 and the construction of a temporary meeting space that could be used for other functions once the permanent New Worship Space was completed. The additional cost for the temporary meeting space was estimated at between $85,000.00 and $100,000. The Congregation approved the plan and plans for the development moved forward. In early 2015 the development of the new site began in earnest and construction of the “temporary worship space” began. Through the spring and early summer of 2015 Giant Eagle worked diligently to achieve a rezoning of the Washington Street property. Unfortunately, there was considerable opposition to rezoning process. The Town of Cumberland and some of its more vocal residents did not want to see the Church Building torn down. In July of 2015, even though the zoning request was approved, Giant Eagle elected to pull out of the agreement to purchase the St. John property citing all the negative publicity that had been generate and their concern it would have on the “Company Image.”

A NEW WORSHIP SPACE INITIATIVE CONTINUEDWith the cancellation of the Giant Eagle purchase agreement St. John UCC was now in a position of still in possession of the “old church” and a new site well along in the development stage. After much discussion and consideration the Congregation made thedecision to complete the temporary meeting space using reserve funds from the Capital Improvement Fund and the Trustee’s Fund, close down the old church building and begin worship in the temporary meeting space which by now was referred to as “The Muesing Activities Center” (MAC). On Sunday October 4, 2015 the final service was held in the Sanctuary of the building on Washington Street, and the following Sunday services were held in the MAC building.

Once we recovered from the shock of the loss of the sale of the Washington Street property we placed the site back on the market, where we discovered that the desirability of the property had diminished some and the market value had probably dropped significantly. Our realtor continued to work aggressively to find another buyer and in April of 2016 we received an offer for $1.25 million to purchase the property. The Congregation believed that the offer was too low and agreed to have the Church Officers and Building Committee negotiate with the potential buyer for a better offer. After several months of negotiation and ultimately with the support of the Town of Cumberland St. John UCC accepted a proposal to purchase the property for $1.5 million from TWG Development, LLC. TWG intends to build an income adjusted senior rental housing unit on the North portion of the property and to find an alternate use for the old Church Building which will remain standing. The sale of the property was contingent on theawarding of Rental Housing Tax Credits administered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. TWG applied for the Tax Credits and in February of 2017 the project was put on a “Wait List” due to lack of sufficient funds to grant all

requests. In the fall of 2017 TWG reapplied for the award of Tax Credits and in February of 2019 the award was made. The actual money to close on the contract will likely not be available until sometime late in 2017. Therefore, we anticipate closing on the property at least by sometime early in 2018.

After holding regular Sunday Worship Services and numerous other activities in the MAC building for the past year and a half, the members of the Congregation have discovered that we probably don’t need as much space or as elaborate a structure as what was being planned for the new Worship Center, at the time the Giant Eagle purchase fell apart. The Building Committee is nowactively meeting to gather information from the Congregation as to what is truly desired and needed for the new space. We will soon begin meeting with an architect to develop a plan for presentation and approval of a plan for the new structure with a target completion sometime in 2019.

NEW CHURCH BUILDING

Planning for a new church building

Muesing Activity Center

(Current Building)

Proposed New Building

(Design Not Complete)

Prospect St

Ca

rro

ll R

d

St John Currently meeting

in the “Muesing Activity

Center” or MAC. Plans

are to add an additional

larger chruch structure to

the site, and use the MAC

as a secondary

activity/rental facility.

Planning for the proposed

new church structure are

currently underway and in

the initial stages.

Projected groundbreaking

is spring/summer 2019.

4. WHO IS OUR NEIGHBOR? “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” (MATTHEW 22:39 NRSV)

a. COMMUNITY VISION

b. MISSION InSite

Food items and household necessities are collected for local food pantries

4A. COMMUNITY VISION

St. John participates in multiple community activities.

• Harvest Home in the fall allows for an additional opportunity to provide

food items to a local food pantry and bulk items to The Salvation Army.

• We participate in the Shoebox ministries program

• We regularly collect can tabs for Riley Hospital for Children.

• We provided hurricane relief.

• Contributions to a mitten tree allow for needed warm mittens and

scarves for school aged children.

• Volunteers tutor neighborhood school children.

• We currently support 2 homeless individuals as well as a family in need.

• We have a presence at both conference and association levels.

4B. MISSION InSite *

Mission and community outreach are an integral part of St. John. We are known in the community for multiple outreach programs.

• Church owned gardening space, and a rich history of members with farming and gardening backgrounds allow us to share gardening space for anyone requesting space. This is open for members and non-members. Member expertise allows mentoring for those requiring gardening assistance. This program is incorporated into the children’s Sunday School program.

• Our 3rd Thursday evening meal program was initiated as a community welcome. After listening to our community guests, we realize our guests count on the meal as part of their life struggle.

• St. John contributes heavily (3000+ items) to C.O.M.E. Community Outreach Mission Eastside, is a community food bank.

• As a benevolence fund raiser, members and non-members participate in a craft fair each year. Each month crafts are created and a large sale is conducted in the church building.

• Game night occurs each month. All members and non-members are invited to a casual fun event.

* MissionInsite is a demographic program that can help congregations and ministries know their neighborhood and mission field.

REFERENCES

5. REFERENCES

April 29, 2018

To Whom It May Concern:

Please accept this letter of reference on behalf of the St. John United Church of Christ congregation.

I have had the pleasure of knowing the members of St. John since 2015. Since that time, I have served in various positions including interim pianist and

the pianist for special summer evening services. Currently, I am the co-pianist for Sunday morning services and choir director.

The St. John’s congregation demonstrates numerous strengths in their ministry. Their mission for community engagement is purposeful, genuine, and

exemplified through various service projects and free monthly dinners. Every member of the congregation contributes to the growth and life of the

church and is supportive of the various forms of ministry that exist.

Currently, St. John’s congregation is comprised primarily of older generation adults. There are few children and younger adults who regularly attend

worship. As the church continues to expand, with a new building and continued community outreach, I hope to see this area of ministry grow.

I am grateful for both the professional and personal experiences I have had so far at St. John United Church of Christ. When considering one’s

expectations of a church congregation it is assumed that the environment is friendly and inviting. However, I have previously experienced that this is not

always true. St. John United Church of Christ displays the perfect definition of a church family.

The members of St. John continuously demonstrate what it means to be a Christian. Their support and love for one another combines to create an

inviting and positive experience for any worshipper.

Sincerely

Allegra Sorley, M.M., MT-BC

Musician-in-residence/Regional Music Therapist

Woodland Terrace of Carmel

allegra@sorleyhorns.com

317-777-2158

A letter of Reference for St. John United Church of Christ

1. Dr. Jimmy R. Watson, Senior Pastor of Immanuel United Church of Christ, Ferguson, Missouri

2. 502-592-7544 sherlockspal@yahoo.com former Interim Pastor of St. John UCC

3. Areas of Strength in the ministry of St. John:a. For a small congregation, St. John is a very active congregation. b. They are mission-minded, both locally and globally. c. Despite the strained relationship with the Cumberland community over the potential sale of their property, they try to be “plugged in” to the community as much as they can. d. They are also very attentive to the needs of their own members, many of which are senior citizens.e. A large percentage of their congregation is active in Christian education.f. They take their music ministry seriously, having had good leaders and good programs.

4. Areas for improvement in the church’s ministrya. Perhaps (like most of our congregations) they could be a little more open and active in terms of evangelism.

5. A significant experience I had with the church’s ministrya. The most significant experience I had as their interim pastor was leading them through the process of exiting their old building and moving into a new location. I had to speak to the media on many occasions because of the conflict with the Cumberland township—they did not want us to sell. Through it all, the congregation became stronger.

6. This congregation is a wonderful mixture of longtime and recent members who truly care about one another and their future. The pastor of this congregation will make many lifelong friends and will be nurtured by their open spirit and commitment to discipleship.

6. CLOSING THOUGHTS

a. CLOSING PRAYER

b. STATEMENT OF CONSENT

c. CONFERENCE/ASSOCIATION VALIDATION

6A. OUR PRAYER

As we end our profile, we would like to share a prayer to our future pastor:

Lord, as our future pastor reads and reflects on the information contained in this profile, please help them make a prayerful decision as they ask “Am I the right person for St. John?” In the words of Mary Fairchild: If you have arrived at your decision with the sincere intention of pleasing the heart of God, incorporating biblical principles and wise counsel, you can proceed with confidence knowing that God will work out his purposes through your decision.

We have many dreams. We dream of a strong spiritual leader, enlightening sermons, and a person of strength as we build our new church building and everything that entails. We dream of a pastor that understands the unique opportunity with building a new church structure, understands the challenges of growing our congregation, and wants to take that exciting journey with us. We dream of a pastor that believes in the words of one of our favorite songs: I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together! Believes the church is many kinds of people. Believes the church is a place for learning. Believes in a church that sings, prays, laughs, and cries.

Member artwork