Priest Search

On June 4th, the search committee was commissioned at the 10am service. The members of the search committee include:

Sara Baxter

Janice Brownlee

Katherine Burke

Brian Goold

Trudi Gunter

Ross Widenor

Matt Steele, vestry liaison

Search Consultant: The Rev. Dawson Moorer

Clergy interested in this position sho0uld contact the Diocese of Ohio transitions officer for additional information at (216) 771-4815 

Search Committee Charge

In July 2022, we said farewell to our full-time priest of 16 years.  On September 4th, 2022, we welcomed our interim priest in charge (3/4 time)  No two search processes are alike.  Each parish will move forward at a different pace.  Although clergy do move in the winter months, most (especially those with children) find it easier to move in the summer months.  It is challenging to move during the weeks around Christmas and Easter so the transition process may adapt this timeline for various reasons.

The Diocesan discernment officer visited our parish to discuss the way ahead.

We held Listening Sessions for all parishioners to talk about where we've been and the way forward with several facilitators present.  Our focus was "Speaking the Truth in Love."

The parish discussed the questions on the OTM profile and prepared draft responses. 

All parishioners were invited to participate in these discussions.  The responses were posted in the parish hall for all to see. They will be given to the search committee, and they begin their work. 

On May 24th, the vestry appointed the search committee members. On Sunday, June 4th the vestry gave them their charge to help define their work. 

The search committee will provide updates to the congregation on a regular basis.  They will be preparing materials describing our parish to share with potential candidates.  

The Diocesan Transition Officer visited the Congregation in summer 2022

Interim Priest arrived in September 2022

           Many of the things placed on pause during COVID resumed as the Interim began work

           We celebrated the Holidays as a parish community.

Phase I:  Parishes who had a rector who was with them for a long time or when the rector's departure was bumpy often take a pause to allow the congregation to consider how they will move forward

For Christ Episcopal Church - Phase I was June 2022 - January 2023.

The parish is beginning to discuss the OTM questions and preparing draft responses. 

Each Wednesday in Lent parishioners discussed the OTM questions (2-3 of the 12 questions per week.

The vestry appointed a search committee and gave them their "Charge." (expectations) Our diocesan appointed Search consultant will work with the search committee.

Congregation inputs for the OTM profile will be used to create the OTM.

The search committee will develop information about the the community to share with candidates.

Phase III concludes when the OTM profile and other information are approved by the vestry and published.

The search committee prepares to interview candidates.  Prepare appropriate questions, practice interviewing skills, review best practices for interviews and they may do practice interviews with clergy volunteers.  Position postings may be left open for applications for 4-6 months.

Review candidate materials (resumes, references, etc) Candidate interviews by phone followed by in-person interviews with those who seem to be a good match for the congregation.  Most candidates will be interviewing with multiple congregations so the search committee may enter discussion with multiple candidates. 

The search committee recommends a candidate to the vestry who will interview the individual.  If it seems like a good match the vestry, after consulting with the bishop,  issues a call and begins work on a Letter of Agreement (includes full or part time Compensation, discussion on living arrangements, time off, sabbatical, and other position related information.

The interim departs 1-2 months before the candidate's anticipated arrival date.  Supply priests are used during this period.

The Search Committee is dismissed from their duties with gratitude and thanksgiving.

The rectory is reviewed and all repairs are made before the priest's arrival (or the rectory is not used and the next priest finds local housing.)

A transition committee prepared to welcome the priest and family and to help them become settled over the first few months in Kent.

Next priest is welcomed at their first church service.