Transition Timeline

August 6, 2023
Rev. Gable’s final Sunday preaching as Senior Pastor.

August 7, 2023
The Interim Transition Team (ITT) met to begin the process of calling an Interim Senior Pastor.
Members of the ITT:

• Kyle Ems

• Peter Harding

• Linda McCabe

• Debby Wessel

• Rev. Terri Thorn (Associate Pastor)

• Sharon Marshall (Clerk of Session)

• Rev. Ruth Moore (Whitewater Valley Presbytery, Committee on Ministry)

Fall 2023
With input from Session, the ITT completed and submitted a Ministry Discernment Profile through the PC(USA) Church Leadership Connection to invite candidates nationwide.

January 2024
Tab’s Session unanimously approved, and the Whitewater Valley Presbytery Committee on Ministry enthusiastically endorsed, the call of Rev. Dr. Bill Smutz to serve as Interim Senior Pastor.

January 16, 2024
Rev. Dr. Smutz began his ministry at Tab.

January 21, 2024
He led worship for the first time as Interim Senior Pastor, followed by a welcome reception in the Dining Room.

Meet Rev. Dr. Bill Smutz

Rev. Dr. Bill Smutz brings a wealth of experience and a calm, compassionate presence to this time of transition. A graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Eden Theological Seminary (D.Min.), Dr. Smutz has served as Pastor, Head of Staff, and Synod Representative in multiple Midwestern settings, including the Wabash Valley Presbytery in Indiana. He is trained in interim and transitional ministry and ordained in the PC(USA) since 1987.

Bill is married to Gina, and together they have three sons and six grandchildren. We are grateful for his leadership as Tab continues to discern God’s path for our future.

June 22, 2025
After 18 months of faithful leadership and service to the congregation, Tab says farewell to Dr. Bill Smutz as his interim period comes to a close. A Farewell Reception is held in the Dining Room after worship on Sunday, June 29 for congregants to give gratitude and notes of encouragement as Bill and family embark on the next stage in life.