| Special Church
Council Meeting
November 14, 2004
At the request of the Shelton Congregational Church Search Committee
a special council meeting was held on Sunday, November 14, 2004 at
11:30 a.m. in the Shelton Congregational Library. A quorum (6) was
met with 13 being present.
Present were Kim Karkut-Church Manager, Ron Karkut-Fundraising, Betty
Ogden-Clerk, Bruce Nichols-Treasurer, Jan Wells-Christian Education,
Lucille Wells-Women’s Fellowship, Susan Nofi-Bendici-Personnel
and Pastoral Relations, Kathey DeMarco-Financial Secretary, Barbara
Osterhoudt-Outreach, Jeff Holton-Deacons, Cheryl Patrick-Nominating,
Darleen Conklin-Membership and Glenn Wells-Trustees.
Betty Ogden, Co-Chair of the Search Committee thanked everyone for
attending this council meeting. After seventeen months, many meetings,
interviews and reviewing 66 profiles the committee was very pleased
to call this meeting to present to council, for approval, our candidate.
This candidate was the unanimous choice of the Shelton Congregational
Church Search Committee.
Ron Karkut, Co-Chair of the Search Committee presented a time frame
of the search committee work for the past year. From November 2003-April-2004
our time was spent compiling information and then formulating our
church profile. April 2004-October 2004 the committee received and
reviewed candidates profiles from 15 states. Some with many years
experience and others fresh out of seminary. From these 66 profiles
we decided as a committee that we were interested in pursuing 10 of
these candidates. We then sent them our church profile package to
see if they were interested in us. Seven were interested in setting
up an interview with us. Our list then narrowed down to four. October
2004-November 2004 we scheduled four interviews for four consecutive
weeks. The interviews lasted about 1-_ hours. Each candidate was asked
the same standard questions plus two or three questions generated
by their profile. We then provided the candidate the opportunity to
interview the search committee. Of the four, two were awaiting their
first call and lacked the experience we felt we needed at this time,
the third had limited experience, but after the interview we felt
that it would not be a good match.
Our candidate has 20 years experience in being a UCC Minister. He
has been able to revitalize the spirit in his previous congregations
and has the credentials and experience we feel Shelton Congregation
Church needs at this time. Rev. Shepard Parsons resides in New Haven
with his wife and two daughters. He is a graduate of Yale Divinity
School and was ordained in 1984. He has an impressive list of credentials
and is very active in community, civic and denominational activities.
Bruce Nichols, Treasurer presented the financial agreement discussed
with the candidate and subject to council approval.
Salary-$27,000.00 Life and Disability @ 1 %-$570.00
Housing-$30,000.00 Group Life-$50.00
Annuity @ 14%-$7,980.00 SECA-$4,725.00
Auto @ $150/month
Package total-$71,675.00
This is more than council approved at the May 28th, 2004 Special
Council Meeting. The new financial package would probably be the amount
that Greg’s package would be if he were still pastor of this
church.
The Search Committee feels this is an appropriate package for a candidate
with Rev. Parson’s experience.
Bruce Nichols then made a motion the council approves Rev. Shepard
Parsons for the position of full time pastor of Shelton Congregational
Church at the presented financial agreement listed above. Glenn Wells
seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
On Saturday afternoon, December 4th, 2004 we will host a reception/open
house to be held in the Beard Room. This would be the time for church
members to meet Shepard and his family on a personal level. On Sunday,
December 5th, 2004 we will have the opportunity to worship with Shepard.
A special church meeting for the purpose of voting on this calling
will be held following this worship service. Letters are about to
be mailed to church members asking they attend both of these events.
Sue Nofi-Bendici acknowledged the hard work and dedication of Co-chairs
Ron Karkut and Betty Ogden. Council agreed and thanked Ron and Betty.
The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Betty Ogden, Clerk |