Update from the Deacons | 2025.12.05

Hi Everyone, 

The Board wanted to reach out and make sure that the communication lines stay open. We can't promise that we'll always have new updates that we can share broadly, but we can try to update you all every 1-2 weeks and we can promise we are actively working behind the scenes. 

• We are bringing in a neutral third party from the HR Church Network to conduct exit interviews for Sally and Leslie and to advise the Board on wise next steps. Those are being scheduled now. 

  • Depending on how this process goes, the HR Church Network may be a good ongoing option as someone to bring in as needed when HR issues come up. 

• Gratitude Night went really well. Thanks to everyone who showed up to the Potluck and to all the members who voted. Natalee Ellis was voted in as a Foundation trustee and Saskia Pallais, Matthew Christopher, David Powell were voted in as new/returning Board members. 

• Saskia and Jason (Vice Moderator and Moderator) sat with John Jay for his annual review on Monday. Below is the list of topics we discuss every year. It was a good time to discuss strengths, weaknesses, and next steps. 

  • SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP AND PREACHING

  • CONGREGATIONAL EDUCATION AND TEACHING IN SPIRITUAL GROWTH

  • COMMUNITY BUILDING

  • CARE - MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE MEMBERS

  • MISSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH

  • COMMUNICATION WITH CONGREGATION AND THE BOARD

  • STAFF MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATION

  • FACILITIES AND FISCAL OVERSIGHT

  • MANAGEMENT OF UNPLANNED EVENTS  

• Our next Board meeting is December 11th. 

• We recognize that some have asked why Pastor John Jay serves on the Board, and how accountability works if he is a Board member. You’ve also asked whether he is present for all Board meetings. John Jay serves in an ex-officio seat on the Board, which is a typical and healthy ecclesial practice: executive leaders often serve on their Boards to share operational context, support strategic decision-making, and help align the Board’s oversight with the mission and work of the organization. Because of this role, John Jay attends Board meetings when his schedule allows, though he is not always present for the entire meeting. Whenever the Board is discussing a sensitive topic like staffing or personnel issues, the Board moves into an "Executive Session"  which allows the Board to discuss matters confidentially and outside of the official minutes. John Jay may or may not attend that section of the meeting depending on what we are discussing. For example, when we are discussing his performance review, he is not in the Board meeting at that time.

• There's another concern that I'm hearing - there is an assumption that we are ticking off a few necessary items and that we are ready to move on. I don't think that's true. There is a lot of work that is happening to better understand how we got here and what needs to be done to fix it. There is a natural human tendency to move on when things are hard, but we need to fight that urge. There is still a lot of important, hard work to do together.  

Feel free to reach out to a Board member if you have any questions - we are making ourselves available to discuss concerns and we're learning a lot from those conversations. 

Thanks!

 - Jason Ellis & Board of Deacons-