Along with our nine colleagues, we were deeply honored and humbled when, at last month's Annual Meeting of the Congregation, you elected us to serve as your Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC). We are also appreciative of the expressions of support and the comments many of you have shared with us since you entrusted us with this important task.

The PNC is being very intentional about following the process laid out by the Presbyterian Church (USA) for finding a pastor. Consequently, we do not yet have a list of candidates, nor do we have any particular candidates in mind. In fact, we will not receive Personal Information Forms (PIFs) from potential candidates until we have completed the Church Information Form (CIF).

That CIF will provide information about our church as well as describe the qualifications and qualities we seek in a new pastor. The CIF will also contain a description of the job we are seeking to fill.

In April, we will be asking for your thoughts and insights to help us define the traits and talents we will highlight in the CIF. A PNC subcommittee is working out the specific ways in which we will gather that input, such as through discussion gatherings and a survey. We will make sure you are aware of those details as soon as they are finalized. Please know that your input is critical to this process, so we hope that as many of you as possible will participate in these opportunities.

We invite you to be in touch with any of us in the days and months ahead as questions or comments arise. You can reach us at pnc@fourthchurch.org.

Regular updates will be posted online at www.fourthchurch.org/pnc.html. We trust that you will understand the need for confidentiality when we get to the stage of reviewing PIFs and interviewing candidates. Please be assured that even during the period when we will not be able to share much information with you, we will be diligently working to find the best person to lead our great church.

We cannot say enough what an honor it is to be entrusted with so important a responsibility in the life of Fourth Presbyterian Church. Please keep the PNC in your prayers as we go about this historic task.

Faithfully,