Our Pastor Search

The Search is on…

Welcome! We are excited you’re interested in learning more about our church and the current process underway to select a new Pastor and Head of Staff. In Valley’s rich eight-decade history, we have been blessed to support, nurture, and launch 31 women and men into ordained ministry positions in the PCUSA.

Here, you will find information about the pastoral position, the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) and ongoing updates about where we are in the process as well as information about Portland and Oregon.

At the beginning of each PNC meeting, members pray aloud the following prayer:

Most gracious and loving God, we have accepted the charge to work together to seek out and prayerfully discern who will serve as our next pastor. We ask for your assistance. Be present among us and guide our steps. Bring unity to this committee and help us to welcome all voices and perspectives. Help us to truly listen to each other and to learn and grow. Inspire not only our hearts but also our minds and allow us to use both in this process. We pray for the person who even now is being called to serve our congregation and community. We pray that you would make the way to Valley easy and certain for our next pastor. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

We close each meeting by praying this prayer in unison:

Faithful God, may the work we have done together be pleasing in your sight. We give thanks for the opportunity to serve our church community. May we always support each other and walk together toward your will for Valley. We ask for strength and encouragement. We pray for the families that miss us during our work and for the well-being of all on our committee. We pray that we would carry each other in our hearts as we move throughout the coming days, weeks, and months. We give thanks for those interested in leading our congregation during a time of challenge and change. Lord, hear our prayers. Amen.

The committee greatly appreciates the ongoing prayers of the congregation during this important time.

Meet Our Search Commitee

  • Amy Dee

    Amy Dee, PNC Chair, has served Valley in a variety of roles but most recently serves as Elder for Personnel. Amy has a doctorate in Educational Leadership and works as a professor at George Fox University. With two adult children, and one grandchild, Andy and Amy now parent a two-and-half-year-old Standard Poodle named Natasha. Reading, sewing, and wine tasting are among her favorite pastimes.

  • Harry Reeder

    Harry Reeder has been a member of Valley for 46 years. During that time, he has served on Session and other committees. He holds a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. During his 67-year career, he completed many projects for industrial and public works clients. Whenever possible, he enjoys a game of golf. He and his wife of 68 years have one son and three grandsons. Another son has passed away.

  • Jan Bellis-Squires

    Jan Bellis-Squires has been a Valley member for more than 30 years and has served in many capacities. Currently a Deacon, she also is involved in several committees, including Personnel, Earth Care, and Mission Endowment. Jan continues to work part time in public relations at Touchmark. She and her husband have one adult son. Reading, cooking vegan/gluten-free food, and exercising are just a few of her interests.

  • Jim Sandberg

    Jim Sandberg and his wife Karen joined Valley in 1973 and were recruited to work as advisors to the college-age youth. Jim has served on Session and several terms as a Deacon as well as on other committees. Currently, he heads an usher team, chairs the Memorial/Gifts committee, and is a member of the A-V team. He and Karen have two adult children and three grandsons. He reads with 4th grade students twice/week and enjoys fly fishing, tying flies, and painting with watercolors.

  • Sarah Martin

    Sarah Martin has been a member at Valley since 2017 and has served on various committees. Outside of Valley, Sarah works in Employee Communications at Intel. She and her husband, Evan, have two young children, Clara and Henry. Sarah is a voracious reader and loves outdoor adventures with her family.

  • Tina Teed

    Tina Teed has served as an usher at Valley. She holds a master’s degree in Biology from Cal Poly and works from her home as a water resources planning specialist for the Sacramento District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. She is raising her three teen/tween boys, who keep her busy with sports activities. The Teed family includes 18-month-old Baxter, a black Labrador, and Snowbelle, a black cat. When not watching a baseball game, Tina loves working in her garden and enjoying the great outdoors.

  • Amy Rheingans

    Amy Rheingans serves as Valley’s Director of Children’s and Youth Music and is a music teacher at Oregon Episcopal School. She and her husband, Thomas, have two adult children, Jacqueline and Sam. Two dogs and two cats round out their family. When not inspiring children and youth through music, Amy’s interests include spending time with family, hiking, cooking, reading, nutrition, and yoga.

Process Updates

Follow along as Valley works to call a new Pastor and Head of Staff. The pastoral transition is a carefully outlined, deliberate process that includes the Pastor Nominating Committee, the congregation, and the Presbyterian Church (USA) via a Commission on Ministry liaison. Look for the check marks to see our progress.

✔️ The Church Officer Nominating Committee (CONC) spearheads the process of selecting candidates to serve on the PNC in late spring.

✔️ Valley members interested in serving on the PNC are encouraged to submit an application.

✔️ CONC holds individual in-person interviews with each person who applied.

✔️ Seven individuals are identified and presented to the congregation, who votes to approve all.

✔️ The PNC begins meeting in June with a dinner focused solely on getting to know one another better.

✔️ The group receives an orientation from the Presbytery, followed by a half-day meeting with Session to review the in-depth work Valley has been doing over the past year.

✔️ The group begins meeting as a team and establishes roles.

✔️ The writing team begins working on the Ministry Discernment Profile (MDP).

✔️ PNC members incorporate their feedback, and the MDP draft is shared with a select group for feedback; their suggested edits are made.

✔️ An updated MDP is reviewed and approved by Session as well as the Commission on Ministry.

✔️ The MDP is uploaded to Presbytery’s Church Leadership Connection database and is available for individuals seeking a new church call.

✔️ The PNC collects Personal Discernment Profiles (PDP) from interested pastors.

✔️ The team analyzes the information submitted by prospective candidates and listens to sermons.

✔️ The PNC invites prospective candidates for a first interview via Zoom.

✔️ Based on the information gathered, the team arranges second interviews with some candidates.

✔️ The PNC listens to additional sermons.

✔️ Upon narrowing the choices, the PNC consults with Presbytery.

✔️ References are checked.

  • The team arranges an in-person interview and social time to get to know the preferred candidate better.

  • The PNC attends a local church where the candidate leads the service as a guest pastor.

  • After further evaluation, the PNC makes a decision and informs Presbytery.

  • The candidate is introduced to the congregation, which hears the candidate preach and then votes to approve the individual.

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