St. Peter’s is in the process of evaluating our needs and the appropriate steps toward calling our next Rector. This page is regularly updated with the steps being taken by the Vestry to that end. If you have questions about this process please contact any member of the Vestry or clergy.
What is the latest news?
We gathered on Sunday, Jan 12th to look at the CAT executive summary together. About 45 people enjoyed the potluck and fellowship before the discussion, and few people left as the discussion began.
A Synopsis of the Discussion Submitted by Hallie Murphy
Fr. Michael introduced the one-page report and brought our attention to a few key points. We had a very high response rate (77 responses is above our average Sunday attendance of 60), so we feel the data is quite valid. The report summarizes areas key to our satisfaction, identifies key potential strengths and weaknesses, lists our top four goals, and references three goals that are unusually strong for our church.
We provided a handout of the summary that was too small to read (oops!), but enlarged copies of the goals were made and handed out. We organized into 5 small groups around two topics: where are we, and what vision do we have around these goals? A vestry member sat with each group with the intent to listen. After some time with the groups, we came back together to reflect. The notes are on the whiteboard in the library. We wrote a collect, prayed, and were finished by 12:30pm.
This discussion and exercise deepened my understanding of how entrenched we are in our patterns of thinking and our expectations. We are on the fence. We struggle to put visionary flesh on the bones of the written goals. We prefer to talk about solutions. We know what we want and are unsettled by the anticipation of more changes in how we worship. The discussions reflected what the CAT stated as potential strengths and weaknesses, so we behaved just like the survey said we would. Feel free to chortle and shake your head and look to God.
According to the CAT, our top four goals are:
- Make necessary changes to attract families with children and youth to our church.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to reach new people and incorporate them into the life of the church.
- Develop ministries that work toward healing those broken by life circumstances.
- Work to renew and revitalize the community around the church by building coalitions with partners that share this vision and commitment.
Next Steps
In the coming months, a committee will be appointed to write the Church Profile with the Office of Transition Ministry of the Episcopal Church. This online site is where priests would go to initially discern if they are interested in St. Peter’s.
The Search Committee will be appointed by the Vestry.
Lastly, strategic decisions will considered to increase the income of the church with the rehabilitation of the historic rectory.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR?
The Holy Cow Consulting Agency met with the Vestry on November 7. Results of the Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT) were shared with the church at the annual meeting on November 17.
The CAT results will help the Vestry discern a few matters:
- What spiritual and practical matters need to be addressed during this transition
- What are the priorities of the church that need attention with a future rector
- What questions need to be asked of candidates who seek to serve as rector for St. Peter’s.
Over the past months several factors important to the transition have been successfully completed including the website is updated, a five-year budget is finished, and a two-year external audit is almost completed.
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CAT Survey The Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT) was open to all members of the congregation in September. We were very pleased with participation level. Thank you!
An all-parish meeting was held on Sunday, July 28 at 9 am (in between services) to provide updates on the financial status of the church and the congregational assessment tool. The letter from the Finance Committee to the congregation that was presented at that meeting can be read HERE.
Fr. Michael explained in more detail that the congregational assessment tool that we will be using is called Holy Cow and we have a representative that has worked closely with the Diocese to administer this tool to many other congregations. He is confident it is the right tool for us to perform this next step that is required for us to complete in the path toward calling our next Rector. The Holy Cow survey will be administered in September.
All Parish Announcement – An all parish meeting was called on April 14, 2024 in which the Vestry and Fr. Michael shared with the congregation the decision that the Vestry had made to request a Priest in Charge for St. Peter’s. A Priest in Charge is placed in a church by the Bishop with the blessing of the Vestry. They are placed in a church with the intent that they will walk with the congregation through the process of preparing the church for a search for a Rector. The significant message shared by the Vestry was that neither they, nor the Bishop, want to act in haste. We do not want to rush to call our next Rector. After having had the joy of one Rector serving St. Peter’s for nearly 30 years, it is important that we take time to discover who we are as a community before we call our next Rector.
What is the difference between a Priest in Charge and a Rector? A Priest-in-Charge is placed by the diocese for a limited term. A Rector is called by the Vestry after a period of mutual discernment to be the incumbent in charge of the parish for an indefinite term.
Can the Priest in Charge become the Rector? Yes, after the search committee is formed, church surveys and all other necessary steps are completed. If the Priest in Charge and the Vestry mutual agree to the call, the Priest in Charge can become the Rector.
How long with the process take? There is no hard and fast rule to this. We generally anticipate we may have a Priest in Charge at St. Peter’s within a year. From there it may take up to two years to call a Rector. Adding to the timeline is the fact that there is a shortage of priests nationwide.