Rector Search
"Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a rector for Holy Cross, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Book of Common Prayer, p. 818
The selection of a new priest for Holy Cross is a very important process that can take from one to two years. The purpose of the interim period is to provide the time to carefully consider priest candidates and give the parish time to be able to make the transition from loved and familiar priests and ways of doing things and prepare us for the challenge of change and the welcoming of new ways to love and worship God and to serve others in our parish and community.
This timeline is not set in stone but will provide an outline of the details involved in the search for a new rector and the interim period.
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Winter 2023
Meet with Diocesan Canon for Transition Ministries, Denise Obando
Vestry meets with Diocesan Canon for Transition Ministries, Denise Obando, who will work with us during all aspects of our search for a new rector.
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Winter 2023
February 19, 2023 – Last Sunday of Epiphany
Mark and Martha’s last day. It will be a day of tears, gratitude, and hope for the future.
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Lent 2023
The Vestry Selects a Search Committee
A search committee is formed. One of the committee members will be a member of the vestry who will keep the vestry informed on the progress of the committee and any issues that arise.
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Lent 2023
Supply Priests
We will be served with supply priests. During this time, the vestry will be provided with names of interim priest candidates. These will be priests who are experienced in guiding parishes during the interim period.
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Lent/Easter 2023
Vestry Selects an Interim Rector
The interim priest will handle all of the duties of any permanent priest and will start to acquaint the parish with doing things in different ways.
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Easter-Season of Pentecost 2023
Search Committee engages their work with us
The search team will meet, elect officers, and begin two tasks: 1. What are we looking for in a priest and 2. Preparing an overview of our church to provide to potential candidates. The parish as a whole will be involved in both of these tasks – providing input through surveys and focus groups. When completed, the overview will be posted and interested candidates will apply.
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Winter 2024
Search Committee Considers Candidates
The search committee will narrow the candidates and visit them in their present parishes. The candidates will not be coming to Holy Cross to preach.
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Spring 2024
Search Committee Presents Finalists to the Vestry
The search committee will present their recommended candidate(s) to the vestry, which will decide whether to extend an offer. The choice must also be approved by Bishop Marc.
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Pentecost 2024
A New Journey Begins
Our new rector will be presented to the church, and a new journey will begin.
Proverbs 27:25:
When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen,
And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,