At the Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church Congregational Meeting and Annual and Called Meeting January 30, 2026, The congregation received the following information from the PNC.
Natalie reported, “we reviewed applications and information from a wide variety of genders, backgrounds, stages in life and viewpoints. Of the over 65 candidates we reviewed, we selected about 40 for further consideration. We were blessed that we were connected with so many high quality candidates. Of those 40 or so, we shortened our consideration to 7 candidates. From there, we conducted initial interviews. The PNC met our candidate via an interview in late fall and all members of the PNC felt good about her warmth and confidence”.
In December the PNC hosted the candidate for a weekend in our area, and they able to hear her preach from a pulpit in the Presbytery. Following that weekend, the committee unanimously decided to extend the terms of call as soon as the candidate returned home.
As Natalie said: “We, as a congregation, do not get to make a decision alone about a new pastor. We are a connectional church and the larger church must also approve new pastors. Since the PNC submitted their name to the Presbytery, the candidate has been:
- Interviewed and unanimously approved by the Examinations Commission
- Interviewed and unanimously approved by the Commission on Ministry (COM)
Brent offered an introduction to the role each team member played in the search process. Rodney, with his vast knowledge of PCUSA governance served as the liaison with the Presbytery of WNC. Chrisann served as the communications hub of the team and coordinated the interviews. Elizabeth, who has been on several PNCs in the past hosted the candidate when she visited and Elizabeth served as hostess, Natalie was the liaison with the congregation, offering monthly reports, to keep us apprised as much as possible and offered to have her children to meet and listen to the perspective candidate.
Brent called attention to the work of the Mission Study team, process, and document and how that helped members of the PNC to focus on the hopes of the congregation.
The candidate’s bio was distributed, and as Brent introduced Jessica Rigel to the congregation, he noted that we are finally on step 24 of the 25 step search process. He told how the team felt Jessica was drawn to WWPC, and the holy spirit was moving us towards her.
Brent read the motion from the PNC.
Rev. George Thompson offered his sense that based on his years of experience in church development, we had before us a truly remarkable candidate for this position, and he highly commended her to us.
Laurie called for the vote which was unanimous in support of Rev. Jessica Rigel as our next minister.
The membership approved the Terms of Call unanimously.
Laurie presented the timeline for the movement from transitional to permanent minister. One of the Rev. Thompsons will be leading worship the Sunday between Laurie’s exit on March 15 and Jessica’s arrival on March 29.