Search PNC News for stories of people and churches in our UCC Conference:

 

CM Search Committee holds listening sessions

Bianca Davis, Search Committee chair, leads a listening session at Spirit of Peace in Issaquah.      Photo courtesy of Bianca Davis

The Search Committee for a settled Conference Minister (CM) continues to hold both virtual and in-person listening sessions to gather feedback from members of the PNCUCC before beginning to write our Conference Profile.

As of early June, there have been 12 listening sessions with between three and 25 participants each.

“We’ve heard from more than 100 people who are passionate about our conference life,” said Dee Eisenhauer of the Search Committee on June 7 just before meeting with folks gathering in person at Veradale UCC in Spokane Valley.

The same day, another group was meeting at Christian Worship Center in Anchorage. A virtual session is set for June 11 at 7:00 p.m., and at 11:15 a.m., Sunday, June 14, there will be discussions with the Search committee at University Congregational UCC in Seattle and at Wayside UCC in Federal Way.

Dee, who retired last year as pastor at Eagle Harbor in Bainbridge Island, added that a few other sessions are in the works, inviting folks to watch the weekly conference emails for updates.

“We are not able to visit each congregation but are aiming for as wide a spread of geography as we can attain,” she said.

The Search Committee has a tab on the PNCUCC website, where people will soon find the listening session questions in a google form so conference members who have not attended a conversation can provide written feedback.

To widen the participation and reach those unable to attend a session, Dee said that the Conference Minister Search Committee invites people to send their responses to their committee’s listening session questions.

Before talking about the conference, the questions first check in about responders’ congregations.

1. How would you describe the “soul” of your congregation right now? 

Let’s talk about our perceptions of the Conference and our needs and hopes for a new CM.

2. How would you describe the PNCUCC to someone who didn’t know anything about us? Please share three descriptors.

3. What benefits do you perceive from our covenant relationships through the PNCUCC? What challenges do you perceive we are experiencing as a Conference, if any?

4. Where do you feel the “growing pains” in our Conference? What is one thing we aren’t doing yet—or aren’t doing well—that a new leader should prioritize?

5. What are the biggest hurdles your congregation is facing today—such as building costs, aging membership, social justice fatigue? What kind of support do you need from a conference minister to meet these head-on?

6. If there were positive changes in the Conference for the next five years, how would you describe the future PNCUCC? Who is God calling us to become in this corner of the world?

7. “Where two or three are gathered, there will be disagreement…” When we disagree as a Conference—whether it’s about theology, justice issues or finances—how do we treat each other? What would you like our next CM to role model when disagreements arise?

8. What communities or causes is your congregation passionate about serving? Do you expect your CM to work shoulder-to-shoulder with you in those concerns/causes? 

9. Anything else you want the Search Committee to know?

“Please keep the committee and the candidates who may apply in the coming months in your prayers,” said Dee.

Along with Dee, members of the search committee are Bianca Davis, chair, May Alaelua, Tyler Torres, Lauralee Sorenson, Ann-Marie Illsley and Byron Monohon. They are receiving feedbac from congregations, clergy and conference leaders to draft a profile of the conference, which Diane Weible, the region’s liaison with the national UCC to assist in conference minister search processes, will circulate to interested applicants.

Once the committee prepares it, Diane will review and approve it.

In listening sessions so far, Dee said she is hearing that people are longing for better connections and communication among churches.

“Some feel isolated. Some local members are not aware of the conference, seeing their congregations as stand-alone bodies,” Dee said. “Some are concerned about a recent history of conflict and how the conference handles conflict.”

Generally, she is hearing hope, hope that a new conference minister will be a good resource person to help local congregations find the resources to help with their varied interests so they can be excellent in their ministries.

The conference minister is the primary spiritual and organizational leader of the PNC, cultivating relationships that strengthen the vitality, connection and shared mission of the church across the region. This role includes building and sustaining meaningful relationships with clergy, congregations and lay leaders—offering guidance, care and accountability in times of discernment, transition and renewal.

The conference minister also equips local churches for ministry in their contexts and fosters covenantal connection across the conference, guiding search and call processes, providing pastoral care and consultation to clergy and church leaders, interpreting and advancing the mission and priorities of the PNC and representing the Conference with the wider UCC and ecumenical partners.

In addition, this leader invites churches to deeper engagement with God’s movement in the world—encouraging communities and to participate faithfully in that work together.

For updated information on the search for a conference minister, visit https://pncucc.org/conference-minister-search.

 

Pacific Northwest United Church of Christ Conference News © June 2026

 

Share this article on your favorite social media