Elgin's First Congregational to call new minister

First Congregational Church of Elgin, 256 E. Chicago St., will receive and vote on the candidate for the next settled minister as part of two activities this weekend.

The church as been served by an intentional interim minister, Rev. Michael H. Montgomery, Ph.D. since July 2018 as the church prepared to look for a new minister.

In the congregational tradition, the church picks the minister as they discern who is called by God and themselves to serve in this role.

A special search committee, led by Tom Powell and Janet Aldred, has been at work since February studying the needs of the church and then the sermons of potential candidates for the position. As is customary, the name of the candidate will be embargoed until Saturday.

On Saturday, there will be a meet and greet for the candidate, at which time they will be formally presented to the congregation with a question and answer session to follow. That event will begin at 1 p.m.

On Sunday, Nov. 10, there will be one service at 10:15 a.m. at which time the candidate will preach and help lead worship. There will be no Sunday school that day but there will be children's activities in the worship service. After worship, there will be a congregational meeting, at which time the congregation's members will vote as to whether to extend a call to the candidate to serve as the next settled minister. It is expected that this person would begin service in early 2020.

Visitors are welcome to the service of worship and to observe the congregational meeting.

For details, visit fcc-elgin.org or www.facebook.com/fccelgin.