Search Committee Update

Article from the July/August "Messenger"

   After a very successful parish meeting/worship service on June 11 the Search Committee will be picking up the pace of its activities in order to have a new priest in place by the start of school next year.

   At a recent meeting with Emily Peach of the Diocese Office, we were given suggestions on a timeline in which to complete the many preliminary steps we must take before calling a new priest.  Our committee hopes to have three names to suggest to the Vestry by May 2007 instead of August 2007.

   This will give the Vestry time to make its final decision, time to notify the Bishop of our decision, time for the person called to give their church a month’s notice, time for moving, and perhaps if they have children, time to be ready to start the school year.

   You will soon be receiving a survey from the self-study subcommittee that we encourage everyone to complete and return to us. Announcements will also be made on the formation of focus groups that will meet to discern additional thoughts on who we are and what direction we would like our new priest to lead us.

   Before we can post the announcement of the opening for a priest in our parish, we must be able to articulate what our past has been, what our present is, and what we hope our future will be.  Your involvement and help is crucial as we move forward in this process to call our next priest at Grace.

Search Committee Members