MONROE - It's been more than 20 years since St. John's United Church of Christ in Monroe has had to search for a senior pastor.
Rev. W.T. "Mike" Heath, who has served the congregation since 1993, retires Sunday, May 19.
Dave Deininger, co-chair of the church's search committee, said the congregation has known about Heath's decision to retire for a year, so the committee formed last summer. Still, the process to find a new pastor is not a quick one.
"We're unlikely to have a new senior pastor until the first of 2014," Deininger said. "We were told the process - even if it's smooth and not circular - is an 18-month process."
"Rev. Heath has had lengthy tenure, and so he will be widely missed," Deininger said. "The congregation has had time to adjust that he is leaving us."
But the church is also entering "an unusual set of circumstances," said Deininger.
Heath said some people may even call it chaotic.
Kay Carter-Heath, Heath's wife, serves the congregation as director of Christian education, and she too is stepping out of her position on May 19.
Debra Krauss Smith, director of music and the congregation's organist, has also decided to retire from her position May 19.
And, while Associate Pastor Rev. Gretchen Sylvester had planned to fill some of the gaps at St. John's until a new minister was found, she now finds herself called to be the senior pastor at Bethel UCC to Elmhurst, Ill. She leaves Sunday, May 12.
Heath said St. John's, now in its 151st year, has "a lot of people who are involved in keeping the church strong, invest time and money - a committed membership."
St. John's will have an interim pastor until its permanent pastor can be found, and then the search to fill the remaining positions will commence. Heath said the series of steps outlined by the search committee is a good one, giving the new pastor a chance to participate in the selection of the remaining head staff.
Heath said it's time for him and Kay to do some traveling, visit family, play outdoors a bit, volunteer a bit and concentrate on raising their 7-year-old granddaughter. How he'll fit all that into his days, he's not sure yet.
"We'll take the summer to get accustomed to retirement," Heath said.
One thing he knows for sure - the Heaths are not moving from Monroe. They like the Wisconsin countryside and all the activities and social amenities Monroe has to offer, he said.
"The school system is wonderful," he added.
Heath served churches in Oconomowoc, LaGrange, Ill., and Bremen, Ind., before coming here. He has a doctor of ministry degree from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis.
During his tenure, the church retrofitted many of the sanctuary's windows; remodeled a large portion of the church; and began a joint effort with Monroe Clinic and New Glarus Home to provide an assisted living facility and St. John's Garden Apartments expansion at the church-owned site on Monroe's north side.
Sylvester began her service as associate pastor to St. John's in April 2004. About five years ago, Krauss Smith agreed to serve as music director until Heath left.
St. John's Church began in August 1862 with about a dozen families and Rev. Kroehnke of Rock Run, Ill. Today there are about 1,900 members.
Rev. W.T. "Mike" Heath, who has served the congregation since 1993, retires Sunday, May 19.
Dave Deininger, co-chair of the church's search committee, said the congregation has known about Heath's decision to retire for a year, so the committee formed last summer. Still, the process to find a new pastor is not a quick one.
"We're unlikely to have a new senior pastor until the first of 2014," Deininger said. "We were told the process - even if it's smooth and not circular - is an 18-month process."
"Rev. Heath has had lengthy tenure, and so he will be widely missed," Deininger said. "The congregation has had time to adjust that he is leaving us."
But the church is also entering "an unusual set of circumstances," said Deininger.
Heath said some people may even call it chaotic.
Kay Carter-Heath, Heath's wife, serves the congregation as director of Christian education, and she too is stepping out of her position on May 19.
Debra Krauss Smith, director of music and the congregation's organist, has also decided to retire from her position May 19.
And, while Associate Pastor Rev. Gretchen Sylvester had planned to fill some of the gaps at St. John's until a new minister was found, she now finds herself called to be the senior pastor at Bethel UCC to Elmhurst, Ill. She leaves Sunday, May 12.
Heath said St. John's, now in its 151st year, has "a lot of people who are involved in keeping the church strong, invest time and money - a committed membership."
St. John's will have an interim pastor until its permanent pastor can be found, and then the search to fill the remaining positions will commence. Heath said the series of steps outlined by the search committee is a good one, giving the new pastor a chance to participate in the selection of the remaining head staff.
Heath said it's time for him and Kay to do some traveling, visit family, play outdoors a bit, volunteer a bit and concentrate on raising their 7-year-old granddaughter. How he'll fit all that into his days, he's not sure yet.
"We'll take the summer to get accustomed to retirement," Heath said.
One thing he knows for sure - the Heaths are not moving from Monroe. They like the Wisconsin countryside and all the activities and social amenities Monroe has to offer, he said.
"The school system is wonderful," he added.
Heath served churches in Oconomowoc, LaGrange, Ill., and Bremen, Ind., before coming here. He has a doctor of ministry degree from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis.
During his tenure, the church retrofitted many of the sanctuary's windows; remodeled a large portion of the church; and began a joint effort with Monroe Clinic and New Glarus Home to provide an assisted living facility and St. John's Garden Apartments expansion at the church-owned site on Monroe's north side.
Sylvester began her service as associate pastor to St. John's in April 2004. About five years ago, Krauss Smith agreed to serve as music director until Heath left.
St. John's Church began in August 1862 with about a dozen families and Rev. Kroehnke of Rock Run, Ill. Today there are about 1,900 members.