The Rev. Dr. James J. Olson, OCC, has been a valuable resource for us and will continue to provide guidance throughout our pastoral transition process. The Rev. Dr. Olson is an Associate Conference Minister of the Illinois Conference United Church of Christ, with primary responsibility to the Fox Valley Association, of which CUCC is a member congregation. He also has agreed to join us on February 3rd to lead our worship service and will make himself available following the service to answer any questions we may have.

After speaking with Rev. Olson and evaluating a number of potential paths, Council has decided to enter into a period of discernment to give our church time to contemplate
our future as a congregational community. We are in the process of working with the Association to secure what is known as a “designated-term” pastor who will join us for
a specific period of time to provide ministerial continuity while also helping to guide us through the discernment process and, ultimately, prepare the way for a new settled senior pastor. The timeframe for this process is still being determined and will be driven, in part, by the available pastoral candidates.