It is with great joy and excitement that the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) announces its unanimous selection of Reverend Scott Clark as its nominee for our Pastor/Head of Staff position. Scott has been a member and friend of our congregation for many years. He has served as our interim pastor since October 2019 and during this time has graced us with his sermons and pastoral leadership. Scott grew up primarily in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC, and in Alabama (moving around some as part of a military family). In 1989, Scott graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alabama with degrees in English and Political Science. He went on to earn a law degree with honors from the University of Alabama, and practiced law in Alabama for 12 years. Scott met his future husband, Jeff Wilson, while they were living in Alabama. In 2005 Scott answered the call to ministry and began studies at San Francisco Theological Seminary (SFTS). He received his Master of Divinity in 2009 and thereafter, served as Program Manager for Christian Spirituality at SFTS. Scott served as the Dean of Students and Chaplain for SFTS from 2011 to 2019. In this position, he led the Seminary’s life of worship and pastoral care, and preached regularly in SFTS chapel and a number of Bay Area churches. At the Seminary, he also had significant management and financial oversight responsibilities. During the course of its journey to find a new pastor, the PNC has had the benefit of observing Scott in worship on a weekly basis. He has consistently delivered sermons that are rooted in scripture, intellectually challenging and relevant. He connects our faith tradition to life in the 21st-century and has demonstrated the ability to spiritually nurture our congregation. Scott has a clear call to justice ministries. He has repeatedly throughout his life demonstrated commitment to those on the margins of society. Early in his legal career he published a law review article on racial injustice. His law practice included constitutional law and advocacy for reform in employee hiring practices. As an ordained pastor, Scott has fought for full inclusion of all people both inside and outside the church community. For the past few years, Scott has served as national Co-Moderator for More Light Presbyterians, and was recently elected to serve on the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission. Scott has a gift for personal interaction with and sensitivity to the need to welcome the diverse views within our congregation and to include and value each individual as a child of God. He is acutely aware of the unique challenges we face during the COVID pandemic and the need to comfort, care and foster the spiritual needs for the entire congregation as we transition through this unsettling time. For our PNC of 11 members, the process has been full of growth, reflection and discernment. We have been mindful of God's voice as we have evaluated multiple extremely well qualified candidates. Our hearts and minds were repeatedly drawn to Scott as the right Pastor for our congregation at this time. He has abundant gifts and a positive vision. It is with profound thanks and gratitude that we present Scott as we embark on this new journey together. Session has scheduled a congregational meeting for Sunday, August 23, 2020 following worship where the congregation will review the PNC’s report, consider Scott as our nominee, and vote on his candidacy and terms of call. Please plan to join us for this important and exciting occasion in the life of our congregation. With joy and gratitude, David Conant (co-chair) Sarah Conant Lisa Cosby John Cowperthwaite Asma Eschen Frank Ferguson Gina Guillemette (co-chair) Mary Kathryn Marcom Peter McConnell Angelo Sphere Margy Tuck
Members of the Pastor Nominating Committee
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