Transitional Ministry
All Souls in a transition period – we are searching for a new Senior Minister! Learn more about the process below.
Welcome to the All Souls Transition webpage!
All Souls is in an exciting moment: we are searching for a new Senior Minister. This page is your home for following the process — what’s been accomplished, what’s ahead, and how you can be part of shaping our future. We’re working within the Unitarian Universalist Association’s framework for congregations in transition, which has guided communities like ours through this kind of meaningful process for decades.
Our Timeline
December 2024 — Rev. Galen Guengerich retired as All Souls’ Senior Minister after more than 30 years of service.
January 2025 — Rev. Kathleen Rolenz joined All Souls as Bridge Minister for a six-month contract, stepping in because Rev. Galen’s retirement fell outside the UUA’s standard interim ministry cycle.
August 2025 — Following a search guided by the Interim Search Committee, Rev. Elaine Peresluha was called as Interim Senior Minister.
September 2025 – January 2026 — Rev. Elaine’s Interim Transition Team was finalized and What’s On Your Mind Listening Sessions began. Between September 2025 and January 2026, the Transition Team held approximately 45 listening sessions with nearly 200 participants. Sessions were co-facilitated by Rev. Elaine and Transition Team members using an Appreciative Inquiry framework — a structured approach designed to give every participant space to share, listen, and imagine together what our community wants for its future.
March 2026 — Congregation invited to submit candidates for the Ministerial Search Committee.
April 2026 — Second survey issued; congregation voted on a shortlist of nominees.
May 2026 — Ministerial Search Committee members announced following congregational vote and Board approval.
June 2026 — Rev. Elaine concluded her one-year contract.
August 2026 — Rev. Kathleen Rolenz returns to serve the next year of Interim ministry, helping guide the congregation through the remaining steps toward calling a settled Senior Minister by Spring 2027.
Ministerial Search Committee
The Search Committee held its first meeting on June 3rd. Among their first acts, the Committee adopted the following covenant:
As a Search Committee representing our congregation, we covenant to serve our congregation to the best of our ability, realizing that both as a group and individually, we represent the face of our congregation and community in the ministerial search process. We will represent our congregation with forthright honesty, care, compassion, and respect. Furthermore, we commit to maintain an assumption of good faith, a foundation of respect, consistent confidentiality, and a collegial spirit with our fellow committee members.
Committee members: Victor Fidel, Shu-Wie Chen, Bryce Stack, Julie Brannan, David Rockefeller, Karen Steele, Jennifer Vermont-Davis, Nancy Northup
Look for additional updates over the summer, including dates for small group meetings and focus groups in Fall 2026.
Transition Team: What’s On Your Mind?
The word cloud to the left summarizes the comments made in the What’s On Your Mind Appreciative Inquiry Listening Sessions held by Rev. Elaine Peresluha and the Transition Team from September 2025 – January 2026.
The most frequently mentioned word from attendees is community!
Community is what brings together our listening sessions, bylaws discussions, Board conversations, and everything else All Souls creates. As a self-governing congregation, member participation is what builds and sustains our community. Community is the core of All Souls’ governance, worship, finances, programs, and this interim transition.
Read the full Transition Team report on Realm, our password-protected community hub. Not yet on Realm? Find login instructions here.
The document that guides all ministers and congregations in transition is the Transitional Ministry Handbook. It describes the current options available to congregations regarding leadership.
Interim Ministry (pg. 27) generally are contracted for a year or two; two is considered advisable in most circumstances. The interim minister works on specific tasks to prepare the congregation for their search for a settled minister. The interim minister is not eligible to apply for the settled ministerial position.
Contract Ministry (pg. 58) is for a limited time with a potentially renewable contract. Any ministerial position that is not full time is considered a contract ministry. See pg. 58 for more details about contract ministry.
Developmental Ministry (pg. 47) Typically 4 – 7 years. This time period allows for both stability with the congregation, and a longer time frame to work on substantial issues identified by the board and congregation.
Settled Ministry. This process is guided by the UUA Settlement Handbook. It is a lengthy process, that involves the congregation selecting a Search Team; identifying its strengths and challenges as a congregation; completing a congregational record; and ultimately voting to call their next minister. The process from beginning to end generally takes 12 months.