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Search Committee for St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Greencastle, IN

We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ⁷ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; ⁸the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.(Romans 12: 6-8; NRSV)

Following our recent stewardship campaign, St. Andrew’s is ready to continue on our journey for a new rector. Total pledge contributions and the number of giving units have increased. Thank you for your prayerful consideration of St. Andrew’s presence in greater Greencastle. Following work completed by the Finance Committee and discussions with the Diocese, St. Andrew’s will seek to call a full time rector.

The Search Committee is the visible, public group that works on behalf St. Andrew’s in its search for its next rector. It is important that the Committee be made up of persons who fairly represent the Parish taking into account the diversity existing in the Parish.

During the next few weeks, the Sr. Warden and Jr. Warden (on behalf of the Vestry) will be seeking nominations from the Parish. These nominations will be held in confidence. Please feel free to nominate someone taking into account the characteristics and skills outlined below. This person should be one you entrust to undertake the tasks of the Search Committee on your behalf. Nominations may be made on 3 x 5 cards located in Hamilton Hall and placed in the designated box.

A Search Committee member must:

• Be open to the guiding of the Holy Spirit and avoid a personal agenda or preconception about who should be called to be the new rector. At the same time, be able to articulate your vision for St. Andrew’s and what qualities in a new rector are important to you. Be willing to pray daily for guidance and for others on the Search Committee throughout the Search Process
• Be able to commit the time and thought necessary to the process which may take a year or longer. Meetings are likely to be more frequent at the beginning and towards the end of the process, and likely involve one or more meetings per week at key points. This includes keeping commitments and following through on assignments. Being organized is a plus.
• Be able to keep confidences –even with a spouse/partner/close friend- about the details of the process (especially not disclose names or details about any candidates being considered).
• Be a good listener – to what is said and to what may not be said. Able to ask questions in a non-threatening way to elicit additional information where appropriate.
• Be able to work well with others, even when you disagree. This includes others on the Search Committee, the Diocese and the Search Coach. This includes being flexible as undoubtedly there will be surprises along the way. Be willing to live with decisions by consensus when and if appropriate.
• Be able to seek and to represent what the parish needs which may, in some cases, be different from your personal preference.
• Be able to travel out of town to observe and meet with a candidate (probably three trips of two-three days each towards the end of the process) with expenses covered by parish funds.
• Be computer literate as many communications will be via computer.

At the end of the nominating period, the Sr. Warden and the Jr. Warden will review the names submitted, in confidence. Then, they will contact those persons to determine if the person would be willing to serve. When a group of 5 people (possibly 1 or 2 Vestry members) agrees to serve, an Announcement will be made to the Parish and the Search Committee will be commissioned, on behalf of the Parish, to begin the process.

The Search Committee’s tasks will include conducting a self-study focused on discerning future directions for St. Andrew’s (in collaboration with the Vestry), preparing a parish profile, securing and reviewing confidential information about rector candidates, and recommending a candidate to the Vestry. The self-study and parish profile tasks will include meaningful opportunities for input from the Parish. The Search Committee will be supported by a transition consultant appointed by the diocese as well as the Rev. Debra Kissinger, Canon for Transition Ministries.

On the next page, you will see the familiar picture of an Anglican Rosary.  This Anglican Rosary is the guide on our journey.  Each cruciform bead and week bead represents a new chapter or step in our journey. As you can see, this is a comprehensive and prayerful approach to our interim ministry.  As we move through this process, the Vestry and Search Committee will use this symbol of contemplative prayer to keep the congregation informed of our status.

Peace,

Dennis Knuth, Senior Warden