Introducing...
Our Candidate for Senior Pastor 
Rev. Paul Eknes-Tucker

Dear Holy Trinitarians,

We began our Pastoral Search very early in 2011. The Search Committee put together Holy Trinity's Church Profile, had it approved by the Church Council and since that time has circulated the Profile within the United Church of Christ as well as other denominational sources. This profile contains information about our church and the pastor's salary and benefits package. The Church Profile has been available for your review in the Comma Café since February 13, 2011. Many very talented candidates submitted their profiles for our consideration. During our search process, we have all prayed unceasingly that God would send the right shepherd to lead us.

Thanks for your constant prayer, patience and continued support. The Search Committee has unanimously selected the "One" Candidate for presentation to you, the members of Holy Trinity Community Church.

Reverend Paul Eknes-Tucker: Candidate for Senior Pastor

2001-2011 Senior Pastor of All God's Children Metropolitan Community Church (UFMCC) in Minneapolis MN, Member of the Chaplain Corps for the Minneapolis Police Department.
Grew Adult education classes.
Political involvement in the Freedom to Marry initiatives.
Helped serve Community Meals monthly.
Served on many community boards and organizations.
Increased weekly attendance from175 to 300 each week.
Increased giving from $2,500 week to $7,000 per week.
Initiated "Miracle Sunday" programs and a Capitol Campaign. 
1989-2001 Pastor of Congregational Care at Cathedral of Hope In Dallas, Texas (a 3200-member predominantly GLBT church). 
Oversaw the Cathedral of Hope AIDS ministries which served over 800 persons each year .
Developed a Christian Counseling Center that served the needs of the lesbian and gay community. 
Developed Hope House, a transitional-living program for gay/lesbian teens and young adults.
Oversaw the Cathedral's world mission.
Developed a Spanish-language worship service and outreach.
Pastor, Metropolitan Community Church congregations in Birmingham, AL, Atlanta, GA, Asheville, NC, Nashville, TN, Dallas, TX and Minneapolis, MN. 
Served as a United Methodist clergy in the North Alabama Conference. 
1980 Received a M. Div. from Candler School of Theology. 
1979 Received a B. A. from, Birmingham Southern College. 
Licensed, credentialed and in good standing with the Metropolitan Community Church.
Received permission from the MCC to seek dual standing with the United Church of Christ.

Paul was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama and was legally married in Toronto, Canada to his life-partner of nine years, Bill Eknes-Tucker. Paul and Bill are the proud parents of three wonderful dogs Joy, Dakota and Bamma.


Bill, Paul, Joy, Dakota & Bamma Eknes-Tucker

Next Steps for Holy Trinity

Pastor Paul and his partner, Bill, will join us for a Candidate weekend August 12-14. Paul and Bill will meet with the Search Committee and the Church Council, will tour the area, likely "check-out" some potential housing opportunities and get as acquainted as possible in a short-weekend stay. On Saturday Evening, August 13, we will have a Meet and Greet social and potluck dinner in our Social Hall. 

On Sunday, August 14th, Pastor Paul will lead morning worship and deliver our Sunday morning message. Following the final blessing, the Church Council will call together a Congregational Meeting. At that meeting, each Search Committee Member will tell the congregation why he/she believes Pastor Paul is the "One" candidate for Senior Pastor of Holy Trinity Community Church. 


After that, our Council Moderator will call for a written ballot vote by all members. Our By-Laws state that only members in good standing as of June 20, 2011 are allowed to vote. 

Please, be sure you are here on Sunday, August 14th. 
Our By-Laws do not provide for absentee ballots, so, you must be present to vote and make this historical decision. A Ballot Verification and Counting Team will count the votes in the Sanctuary and the results will be announced. In order to ask Rev. Paul to accept the Senior Pastorate of Holy Trinity Community Church, an 80% "YES" vote is required. If we have an 80% yes vote, we will ask Paul if he is willing to accept the position of Senior Pastor. If he accepts, we will schedule his Installation Service. If Paul does not accept the Pastorate or if he is not voted-in, the Council will notify the congregation, dissolve the Search Committee, and the Search and Call Process will begin anew.

God is still speaking to us and God's love for us is very real. Your Church Search Committee believes Paul Eknes-Tucker is the Shepherd God has selected for Holy Trinity Community Church and your Church Council has approved the Candidate Weekend. The members of Holy Trinity Community Church will decide if Paul is the Senior Pastor for our Church. Thank you and May God continue to bless us!

In Him,

Nick, Julie, Roderick, Chuck, Wanda, Lesa, Larry, Carl & Peggy

Your Holy Trinity Search Committee