transition period information meeting december 21, 2014
TRANSCRIPT
Transition PeriodInformation
MeetingDecember 21, 2014
The Lord be with you. (And also with you.) Let us pray.Holy gracious God, we thank you for the blessing of family.Lord we thank you for this family gathered here; we ask that your presence be among us as we ask and learn about the direction that we are going for a new rector.Lord we know that every step along that way you will be with us, so we need not fear.Lord we ask a special blessing on this congregation, that they may continue during this time of transition to be your light in this world. Amen.And p.s., thank you for our leaders in this transition time.Amen.
Agenda•Transition Overview•What we’ve done so far•Next steps•Questions and Answers
Transition Overview•Say good-bye to Janie•Find an interim rector
•Rector search•Welcome our new rector
Say good-bye to Janie• Done, thank you.• 246 attended
Find an Interim Rector• Done: Reverend Christy Shain-Hendricks
arrives January 1• Pot-luck welcome brunch between
9:00 and 11:15 services on January 4,her first Sunday
Common Questions about the Interim Rector
• Why couldn’t George be our Interim Rector?• The Holy Spirit had already called George to Tomball.
• Will the Vestry be running things during the interim?• No. Reverend Christy is our rector, full stop. “Interim”
is only a description of her time here.
• If we like her, can we keep Rev. Christy as our rector?• No, both by policy and Rev. Christy’s calling.
• Is her purpose to “shake things up”?• Her role is guide us through this transition period,
without either getting too comfortable.
Common Questions about the Interim Rector
• Why couldn’t she start sooner?• She needed the time to transition from her previous
ministry, celebrate Christmas with her family and move to Houston.
• What do we call her?• Her preference is Christy, or “Reverend Christy” if
you prefer.
Transition Overview•Say good-bye to Janie•Find an interim rector
•Rector search•Welcome our new rector
Rector Search OverviewPRE-SEARCH
VestryACTIVE SEARCH
Search CommitteeTHE CALL
Vestry
Form the Brochure Committee Gather names Approve at a Vestry meeting
Conduct a congregational evaluation Vetting the applicants Inform the Candidate
Hold a Visioning Event Form committee teams Candidate’s Visit
Review finances Visit candidates Acceptance of Call
Prepare the rector’s package Shorten the List Documents of Call
Form the Search Committee Present the name Inform the Congregation
Rector Search OverviewPRE-SEARCH
VestryACTIVE SEARCH
Search CommitteeTHE CALL
Vestry
Form the Brochure Committee Gather names Approve at a Vestry meeting
Conduct a congregational evaluation Vetting the applicants Inform the Candidate
Hold a Visioning Event Form committee teams Candidate’s Visit
Review finances Visit candidates Acceptance of Call
Prepare the rector’s package Shorten the List Documents of Call
Form the Search Committee Present the name Inform the Congregation
• Sequence of events is important• The Search Committee is formed after the rest have been completed.• It will probably take four to six months to complete
Next Steps
Brochure Committee• Ready to form now• Two or three people• Present information to the prospective
candidates and community about the church• Outline of core values, mission and vision that
is determined by Visioning Event and Parish Survey• Goals:• Complete brochure before Search Committee is formed• Publish on parish website immediately prior to Active
Search
Congregational EvaluationCORE VALUES• Clergy candidates expect congregation recently
has defined its core values.• Vestry members, carefully selected ministry
heads, leaders & new members (1 year or less) will be a part of this process.
MISSION STATEMENT• Does a mission statement exist?• Does the statement reflect the current mission?• If so, it is reviewed during pre-search process.• If not, create a new mission statement with no more than
20 persons.
Visioning EventA weekend meeting with a minimum number of participants, including Vestry members and key parish leaders.• Objectives:• Discern vision for immediate future of ministry (1-3
years)• Identify desired skills, qualities and leadership style
needed to lead congregation into fulfillment of its vision and mission
• Results will be included in the brochure.
Parish Survey• A brief survey to each member of
congregation to• Generate demographic information about the
congregation• Discern mind of the congregation concerning the
next Rector in relation to ministry goals established at Visioning Event• Provide opportunity for parishioners to nominate
clergy candidates who exemplify leadership profile
• Results will be published on parish website prior to the beginning of Active Search
Community Portfolio• National database for churches and clergy in
transition• A member of the Search Committee will edit
our online portfolio• When finished, the Canon to the Ordinary will
release our Community Portfolio• Will be used by the diocese to vet
candidates, to ensure they are a good fit for Emmanuel
Search CommitteeFORMING THE SEARCH COMMITTEE• Parishioners can nominate potential Search Committee
members.• Vestry is responsible for electing the Search Committee.• Interim and other clergy cannot serve on a Search
Committee or take a role in Active Search.CHARACTERISTICS OF A MEMBER• Person of prayer• Committed to parish life through work, worship &
stewardship• Respects confidentiality• Team player• Available for weekly meetings & to travel for interview visits.
Search CommitteeCOMPOSITION OF THE SEARCH COMMITTEE• Seven to nine diverse members, maximum of
twelve, including representation (2 or 3) from Vestry• Senior Warden serves as ex officio and attends
committee meetings. Has no contact with candidates; no visits; no vote.• Committee Chair chosen by Search Committee
from among its members• Search Committee Commissioning at Sunday
service prior to Active Search
Common Questions about the Rector Search
• Updates will be on our website:www.emmanuel-houston.org/transition• How can I be on (or nominate someone to be
on) the search committee?• Contact any vestry member, or use the online
registration form.
• What if I know of a priest that would be a good candidate?• Contact any vestry member.
Common Questions about the Rector Search
• What can I do?• We need a couple more people on the Brochure
Committee• Complete your pledge card, if you have not already
done so• Include Emmanuel in your prayers during this
process
Questions?