Candidate Sunday
February 21st - 10:00 a.m
All members, friends, and neighbors are invited to a candidate service this Sunday, February 21st, 2010. Pastor Sandy Hackett will be introduced to the congregation as a candidate for position of Pastor at Lake City Presbyterian Church. She will preach with a congregational voting meeting and reception to follow.
Celebrating 25 years of ordination this year, Sandy has served churches in Seattle, Bellevue, Bothell and Everett, as well as in Tulsa, OK and Minneapolis, MN. Sandy’s husband, Dave, is also clergy, working as a mission consultant with visionSynergy in Edmonds. They love having three daughters. Katelyn and Anna are adults, living in Seattle. Mairin is in the 8th grade at Skyview Junior High near their home in north Bothell. Sandy also loves to knit and spends her time off with a golden retriever named Maltby.
Sandra's education includes: B.A Seattle Pacific University, M.Div. Fuller Theological Seminary; Graduate Fellowship in Preaching, Oxford University.
Excerpts from Sandy’s Pastor Information Form
Describe the church you feel called to serve:
Once upon a time, I called a friend to apologize, and got this astonishing response: “No worries. We’re unoffendable!” What a gift that was! That relationship has weathered all kinds of life events with strength and joy because we both seek to be unoffendable. It creates space for honesty, for humanity, and for creative growth because we talk things through, believing the best about each other. It is this kind of relationship that I seek to build with a congregation, and a spirit I hope to build within a church.
On Key theological issues facing churches & society:
In each congregation I have served, we have struggled in one way or another with our understanding of the word Evangelism. All too often it is a code word for, “We need more people in here to help pay the bills.” Evangelism should not be about us; it is about those we serve, whether or not they ever join our church. Our mission is to join God in loving the world, not to ask the world to support us! I seek to cultivate a spirit of generosity that will attract far more new members than desperation disguised as evangelism.
Excerpts from our Supplemental Questions:
What experience have you had in encouraging the spiritual growth of the congregation?
I have led small group ministries and many Bible study groups, taught Bible classes and led dozens of retreats. I have always worked on providing a strong Biblical foundation for people so they have something to draw on when facing difficult times in their lives.That continues to be my goal as preacher, to ask the hard questions of faith so we are not caught off guard by the hard questions of life.
Interview Question Sandy had for the PNC:
David & I parked a block off Lake City Way & 125th and walked around the neighborhood. In that small area, there is a diversity of ethnic businesses, Persian, Mexican, Tanzanian, Philippine, Indian… Is that diversity represented in your community? Does Lake City Presbyterian face Lake City Way or Sand Point Way? Who lives in the apartments over the retail establishments on Lake City Way?
What her references said:
** “Sandy is a strong leader with a pastor’s heart.”
** On her strengths: “Wise, caring and loving in leadership. Exceptional preacher & teacher. She has a knack for connecting people with their resources. A master net-worker.”
** “If you don’t hire her, I will!” - Corey Schlosser-Hall, Exec Presbyter North Puget Sound Presbytery
What PNC heard:
PNC: What single criteria should we use to determine your effectiveness and progress in the development of influence and Christian preaching in our community?
Sandy: Are people more confident in God’s love for them and are they returning that love to HIM?
