Rector Search

Rector Search Update

Update as of:

June 19: We recently had the opportunity to meet with some potential candidates. Unfortunately, we were unable to find someone to meet our calling. Please know our priority is to find someone that exhibits the rector traits as defined by the congregation: engaging preacher, effective communicator, compassionate caregiver, and transformational leader. We continue to be blessed by the leadership of Father Joseph and the appointment of Deacon Pam. With the support of the Diocese we are confident in our future as we flourish and grow!

December 29: As discussed, we have made changes to our OTM and Parish Profile, updated the position incentives, and we are ready to advertise for a new rector! Look for the posting and updated Parish Profile over the next few weeks!

October 29: The Search Committee met with the Mission Committee to discuss some of the recommendations made by the Diocese. From this discussion, we have decided to review our OTM and Parish Profile to make it more relevant to our current congregational status. We also want to wait until after Celebration Sunday to determine what additional incentives for attracting more applicants can be made. To give us adequate time to make the necessary changes, we have decided to release the new posting in January! As mentioned previously, we are very appreciative for Father Joseph and his family for this continued support.

September 15: Back in June, Saint Bart’s officially submitted the OTM (Office of Transitional Ministry) document as well as releasing the Parish Profile along with our new website. Per the Diocese job requirements, the job was posted until July 20th. At the end of this waiting period, the Diocese suggested we extend the application window because of the limited number of applicants received. As a result, the application Window was extended until August 12th. Since then, the applicant pool has been limited. We believe it is due to a number of reasons: having a limited number of potential applicants wanting to switch churches during Covid; the installation of the new Bishop in 2021; and the number of churches within the diocese that are searching for a new rector. There are a few other reasons identified by the Diocese that are job specific that we are discussing with the Mission Committee. At this time, we have decided to temporarily pull the job from the listing while we review any recommended changes.

Please know that the search committee is dedicated to this process. The entire search committee and mission committee agree that our desire is to find a rector that is best suited to meet the needs of our church family, as well as provide them a meaningful church home. We do not wish to rush this process, and are willing to wait for an ideal candidate. We have spoken with Father Joseph, and are so blessed that he is willing to continue to serve our church family until we can find a new rector. We hope to have another update soon. 

As always, if you have any questions, please contact Meredith Holodak or Sandy Zeller, co-chairs of the Search Committee.

August 15: The Diocese is reviewing all potential applicants. We will know more within the next week our next steps in this process.

July 27th: Per the recommendation from the Diocese, the application window is being extended until August 12th. More information will be given at that time.

July 20: The application window for our rector position closed on July 20. We await Canon d’Rue Hazel’s screening of the candidates and hope to begin interviews by early August. The Committee has compiled a list of interview questions and will meet one more time prior to interviews to review interview protocol.

July 7: We have reviewed and revised the interview questions. We are in the middle of the open application period which ends on July 20th.

June 19: The OTM is now officially ready for disbursement by the Diocese, and the Parish Profile has been published on our website. Our next step is to determine how we will conduct the interview process and the questions that will be asked.

June 6: The Search Committee met to review the Parish Profile. Each page was reviewed and feedback given. Changes were made and submitted to the Mission Committee for approval.