| Special Church
Meeting - December 5, 2004
A special meeting of the church membership was conducted on December
5th, 2004 at 11:10 a.m. in the sanctuary of the Shelton Congregational
Church. The meeting was called to order by church manager, Kim Karkut.
Betty Ogden, clerk, reported that 67 members were in attendance and
a quorum, specified by the bylaws as ten percent of the church membership
(currently 175) was deemed to be satisfied.
Kim then turned the meeting over to Betty Ogden, co-chair of the Shelton
Congregational Church Search Committee.
Betty started the meeting by saying today was a blessed and much anticipated
day in our church life. For the past seventeen months she had co-chaired
the Shelton Congregational Church Search Committee with Ron Karkut.
Ron and Betty were grateful for the experience of working with the
six very dedicated and inspirational members of our church that comprised
the rest of the committee. Those members being Jeff Holton, Amanda
MacDonald, Bruce Nichols, Sue Nofi-Bendici, Dave Kingsbury and Cheryl
Patrick.
On behalf of the search committee Betty Ogden was pleased to say,”
I would like to make a motion that the congregation, on the recommendation
of the search committee and church council, approve Rev. Shepard Parsons
as the next minister of the Shelton Congregational Church.”
Bruce Nichols then seconded the motion. The floor was open to any
questions church members might have. Bill Barker was interested in
knowing the number of applicants we had considered as a potential
candidate. Bruce Nichols stated the committee had reviewed 67 profiles,
which ranged from candidates right out of seminary to those with many
years of experience. Of the four candidates interviewed the committee
felt that Rev. Parsons was by far the best choice for our church.
John Tusch then expressed to the congregation that he did not know
all the particulars involved in the process, but was very grateful
for all the hard work the Search Committee did in bringing Rev. Parsons
to our church. The congregation responded with a resounding applause.
Members of the search committee then circulated voting ballots. Betty
informed the congregation that voting was open to church members only.
If not a member please decline the ballot when offered. A majority
vote would be required.
After the search committee counted the votes, Betty Ogden informed
the church membership that we had a unanimous vote. Rev. Shepard Parsons
was the new minister of the Shelton Congregational Church.
The Parson’s family returned to the sanctuary with a standing
ovation. The choir then blessed all of us with a special choral selection
especially for this moment. Rev. Parsons expressed his and his family’s
excitement and joy.
The meeting was then adjourned at 11:30 a.m. and we all retired to
the Beard Room for coffee hour.
Respectfully Submitted,
Betty Ogden, Clerk |