07 Feb Welcoming our new Senior Pastor
The congregation of Winnetka Congregational Church has been on a journey of major transition and growth for the past three years. During this time, we celebrated 150 years of WCC and said goodbye to much-loved Pastors and Staff. We have thought creatively and courageously about the future of WCC and ratified our Vision document to guide us through the coming years. I bring you news today of another milestone in the life of WCC—the Senior Pastor Search Committee has unanimously recommended and the WCC Council has unanimously voted to call a new Senior Pastor to lead WCC into the future.
The Senior Pastor Search Committee conducted a nationwide search which received great interest and turned up several qualified candidates. The members of the committee put in many hours interviewing, reviewing sermons, talking to references, and, ultimately, bringing two candidates to Winnetka for further vetting. In a final step of discernment, several members of the Senior Pastor Search Committee travelled to one Pastor’s current church to experience a worship service in-person. After prayerful discussion and consideration, the Senior Pastor Search Committee made their recommendation to the WCC Council, and the Council gave its full support to call the Reverend Paulo Gustavo França. We are excited to have Rev. França to take the leadership reins at WCC in February, 2025.
“Frederick Buechner once wrote, “The place where God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” I work collaboratively with church members, staff, and friends to foster an atmosphere of passion, clarity of purpose and excitement in the church. If we are going to face the world’s deep hunger, I want to do it with a deep sense of joy for the living hope the Gospel offers.” -Paulo Gustavo França
Thank you for keeping your faith in the process over these many months while the Senior Pastor Search team worked to secure this exciting outcome. I personally cannot wait for you all to meet Rev. França. WCC has a great future ahead and we are blessed to have found a strong leader to help make our Vision a reality.
Julie McConnell
Chair of the Congregation
Winnetka Congregational Church
