The Search: "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer"
Search Committee Report 2022
Since the arrival of COVID nearly two years ago, times have been particularly challenging for churches, and St. Paul’s is no exception.
Virtually everything in our church life as we knew it has been upended – worship, HOT, Courageous Conversations, coffee hour; however, in every aspect, we are carrying on and adapting as we go … as best as the current climate allows. This holds true for the Search Committee efforts during the past year as well.
After the first three months of 2021 passed without receiving any candidates, the Search Committee asked to meet with Bishop Hollingsworth in March to address the direction of the search. When that meeting eventually took place in June – the sole candidate for the entire year having been submitted in the interim -- the Bishop lamented the “paucity of priests looking to move at this time” due to the pandemic, and “the demand far exceeding the supply” as contributing factors in the ongoing lack of viable and appropriate candidates.
After an ensuing summer of quiet from the Diocese, the possibility of candidates was dangled in September when the Rev. Canon Percy Grant from the Diocesan Office of Transitional Ministries attended a regional transitional ministry conference, and she offered the hope that her counterparts could provide some insights and recommendations.
With that ultimately netting no results, however, the Search Committee met with Vestry to review the on-going challenges faced in the Search, discuss the changes the church had undergone since the Search formally launched in August 2019 with submittal of documents to the Diocese, and determine how best to proceed.
In October, with the Vestry’s resulting new charge, the Search Committee shifted gears to discern a full-time priest-in-charge for St. Paul’s, rather than a rector. Because so much had happened to affect the life of the church since the search was undertaken -- particularly in the months following March of 2020 -- the Search Committee set to work on updates to the parish profile and the Diocesan database form to reflect changes and adaptations necessitated by the once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, and to present a more accurate picture of St. Paul’s in 2021.
However, the last quarter of the year ended as the first had begun: in a continuing “dry spell” with regard to candidates.
Consequently, in December we again requested a meeting with Bishop Hollingsworth, which took place Jan. 20. He assured the committee that the search for a new bishop will not override Diocesan efforts related to St. Paul’s search; however, he regretted that the lack of prospects continues to be an issue. The bishop commented that he “wants to do better than just send us someone with a pulse,” and the Search Committee made it clear that we would hold the Bishop to that commitment, and that we will accept nothing less than someone who will make OUR pulse quicken, who excites US, and who will excite YOU, our St. Paul’s family.
In the meantime, St. Paul’s can be thankful for Fr. Phil shepherding us through these trying times, and for the commitment of Search Committee members Douglas Colmery, Marilyn Dickinson, Olivia Johnson, Bill Kendrick and Dick Reinbold in staying the course.
As we begin 2022 with the hope for the future and the promise of a fresh start that each new year holds, may the people of St. Paul’s embrace the words of Romans 12:12: “rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer,” as the Search process presses onward.
Respectfully submitted,
Barb Anderson, Search Committee Chair
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 2022
Since the arrival of COVID nearly two years ago, times have been particularly challenging for churches, and St. Paul’s is no exception.
Virtually everything in our church life as we knew it has been upended – worship, HOT, Courageous Conversations, coffee hour; however, in every aspect, we are carrying on and adapting as we go … as best as the current climate allows. This holds true for the Search Committee efforts during the past year as well.
After the first three months of 2021 passed without receiving any candidates, the Search Committee asked to meet with Bishop Hollingsworth in March to address the direction of the search. When that meeting eventually took place in June – the sole candidate for the entire year having been submitted in the interim -- the Bishop lamented the “paucity of priests looking to move at this time” due to the pandemic, and “the demand far exceeding the supply” as contributing factors in the ongoing lack of viable and appropriate candidates.
After an ensuing summer of quiet from the Diocese, the possibility of candidates was dangled in September when the Rev. Canon Percy Grant from the Diocesan Office of Transitional Ministries attended a regional transitional ministry conference, and she offered the hope that her counterparts could provide some insights and recommendations.
With that ultimately netting no results, however, the Search Committee met with Vestry to review the on-going challenges faced in the Search, discuss the changes the church had undergone since the Search formally launched in August 2019 with submittal of documents to the Diocese, and determine how best to proceed.
In October, with the Vestry’s resulting new charge, the Search Committee shifted gears to discern a full-time priest-in-charge for St. Paul’s, rather than a rector. Because so much had happened to affect the life of the church since the search was undertaken -- particularly in the months following March of 2020 -- the Search Committee set to work on updates to the parish profile and the Diocesan database form to reflect changes and adaptations necessitated by the once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, and to present a more accurate picture of St. Paul’s in 2021.
However, the last quarter of the year ended as the first had begun: in a continuing “dry spell” with regard to candidates.
Consequently, in December we again requested a meeting with Bishop Hollingsworth, which took place Jan. 20. He assured the committee that the search for a new bishop will not override Diocesan efforts related to St. Paul’s search; however, he regretted that the lack of prospects continues to be an issue. The bishop commented that he “wants to do better than just send us someone with a pulse,” and the Search Committee made it clear that we would hold the Bishop to that commitment, and that we will accept nothing less than someone who will make OUR pulse quicken, who excites US, and who will excite YOU, our St. Paul’s family.
In the meantime, St. Paul’s can be thankful for Fr. Phil shepherding us through these trying times, and for the commitment of Search Committee members Douglas Colmery, Marilyn Dickinson, Olivia Johnson, Bill Kendrick and Dick Reinbold in staying the course.
As we begin 2022 with the hope for the future and the promise of a fresh start that each new year holds, may the people of St. Paul’s embrace the words of Romans 12:12: “rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer,” as the Search process presses onward.
Respectfully submitted,
Barb Anderson, Search Committee Chair
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