The Search Committee: Who we are and want to be
Search Committee Report 2021
In the two years since the Search Committee submitted to the Bishop’s office our Parish Profile and Office of Transitional Ministry form for the Diocese’s data bank, officially launching St. Paul’s search for a new rector, the church -- and the world -- have changed.
With no candidates forthcoming from the Diocese at the present time to consider, the Search Committee is using this time constructively to update the picture that we are presenting as to “who we are” to more accurately reflect current realities of St. Paul’s to potential applicants.
The pandemic has greatly impacted the church on many levels, from Sunday worship attendance to carrying out many of the ministries at the church’s core, such as HOT and Courageous Conversations.
Revised statistics regarding average Sunday attendance and the 2021 budget have been submitted to the Diocese, and the parish profile is in the beginning stages of being updated as well to reflect how the church has responded during the last 18 months since the pandemic began-- and continues to adapt and modify as we move forward.
Entering into a mutual agreement with a new rector will require a foundation of truth, transparency and honesty with regard to priorities, vision, ministry goals and financial commitments. This means being up-front as to who we are at this moment, and not simply who we aspire to be, nor who we were prior to March of 2020.
To that end, the Search Committee and the Vestry will be meeting the end of September to consider these realities, and chart a course forward.
We deeply appreciate your continued prayers, and invite you to add the prayer below -- which opens every Search Committee meeting -- to your prayers as well.
On behalf of the Search Committee,
Barb Anderson, Chair
2020
Because the first impression is often the most important one, St. Paul’s Search Committee is sprucing its communications to provide prospective rector candidates a clear and compelling narrative of what we are and how we fit in our community.
Among new plans the committee is working on:
Once we are up and running, all of these will be available for the parish’s perusal on the website. Stpaulscanton.org.
In the meantime, the Search Committee will be meeting with both the Vestry and the Long-Range Planning Committee in June as the next step in the process.
Vestry discussions taking place are determining a direction for St. Paul’s so
that a complementary skill set necessary for the new rector can be identified. And the Long-Range Planning Committee is identifying concerns facing St. Paul’s and developing potential scenarios to solve them. These are key components necessary for the Search Committee as we determine specific needs, and it is imperative for the three groups to be on the same page as to what those are.
Yes, things are happening! Your continued prayers are appreciated.
Barbara Anderson
Search Committee
Search Committee Report 2021
In the two years since the Search Committee submitted to the Bishop’s office our Parish Profile and Office of Transitional Ministry form for the Diocese’s data bank, officially launching St. Paul’s search for a new rector, the church -- and the world -- have changed.
With no candidates forthcoming from the Diocese at the present time to consider, the Search Committee is using this time constructively to update the picture that we are presenting as to “who we are” to more accurately reflect current realities of St. Paul’s to potential applicants.
The pandemic has greatly impacted the church on many levels, from Sunday worship attendance to carrying out many of the ministries at the church’s core, such as HOT and Courageous Conversations.
Revised statistics regarding average Sunday attendance and the 2021 budget have been submitted to the Diocese, and the parish profile is in the beginning stages of being updated as well to reflect how the church has responded during the last 18 months since the pandemic began-- and continues to adapt and modify as we move forward.
Entering into a mutual agreement with a new rector will require a foundation of truth, transparency and honesty with regard to priorities, vision, ministry goals and financial commitments. This means being up-front as to who we are at this moment, and not simply who we aspire to be, nor who we were prior to March of 2020.
To that end, the Search Committee and the Vestry will be meeting the end of September to consider these realities, and chart a course forward.
We deeply appreciate your continued prayers, and invite you to add the prayer below -- which opens every Search Committee meeting -- to your prayers as well.
On behalf of the Search Committee,
Barb Anderson, Chair
2020
Because the first impression is often the most important one, St. Paul’s Search Committee is sprucing its communications to provide prospective rector candidates a clear and compelling narrative of what we are and how we fit in our community.
Among new plans the committee is working on:
- A newly formed Communications Committee, working with the Search Committee, aims to improve access to the church’s website and provide more thorough information more often.
- The web site also will provide a detailed look at the demographics of the City of Canton, and the surrounding counties from which St. Paul’s membership is drawn.
- The revamped website will house the parish profile – a detailed look at St. Paul’s history, ministries/outreach and organizations – as well as the Diocese of Ohio’s Office of Transitional Ministry Portfolio. This is a “want ad” of sorts that addresses questions ranging from our liturgical style to challenges facing the church. It will also be registered in the national church’s database, which holds profiles for all clergy registered in the system in order to “match” churches with clergy based on needs and preferences. Finally, a third informational piece will detail the demographics of the city of Canton and the surrounding counties from which St. Paul’s membership is drawn.
Once we are up and running, all of these will be available for the parish’s perusal on the website. Stpaulscanton.org.
In the meantime, the Search Committee will be meeting with both the Vestry and the Long-Range Planning Committee in June as the next step in the process.
Vestry discussions taking place are determining a direction for St. Paul’s so
that a complementary skill set necessary for the new rector can be identified. And the Long-Range Planning Committee is identifying concerns facing St. Paul’s and developing potential scenarios to solve them. These are key components necessary for the Search Committee as we determine specific needs, and it is imperative for the three groups to be on the same page as to what those are.
Yes, things are happening! Your continued prayers are appreciated.
Barbara Anderson
Search Committee