Leadership Transition
MAR 2025 – Discernment Committee Update
Thank you all for participating in listening sessions and online survey. We have finished the discovery phase of our work. We are now digesting the information and will work with Rev. Jane and Rev. Suzanne from the Diocese to develop a profile. Our target date for posting the position, subject to approval by the Diocese, is late April/early May. If you have question about the discernment process, please email us at discernment@smary.org.
Feb 2025 – Discernment (search) committee
Feb 16 Listening Session. Several hardy Mainers braved the weather to attend the 10:15 church service and participate in a listening session. The parishioners who attended the 8am service had already participated in prior listening session and/or completed the online survey. It was a bit chilly in the Auditorium but we had a warm and enjoyable discussion.
Youth Listening Session on Feb. 9. Thank you to Chris Martin & Mary-Milam Granberry for facilitating. And thank you to the six youth who participated! We appreciate your time and willingness to participate in the Discernment process.
At this stage, the committee has heard from over 130 parishioners via three listening sessions, one youth listening session, online survey, individual meetings with parishioners who contacted committee members or are on the CARE Team or Prayer Partners list, plus emails from parishioners.
Next, the committee will determine if additional Listening Sessions will be scheduled and when to close the Online Survey. The survey will be available until March 4. If you have not completed it yet or missed a Listening Session, we want to hear from you! Please complete the Online Survey: Discernment survey
We had great participation at our January 12 listening session. We had over 40 parishioners excluding committee members share their dreams for St. Mary’s plus what we do well and what we can grow. Thank you to parishioners who took the time to participate in our second listening session. Additionally, about 43 parishioners have completed the online survey.
The committee meets weekly to review/discuss the feedback we received at listening sessions and the online survey. Please read our updates in the monthly AVE newsletter and the weekly eNews. AVE newsletters and eNews are archived on the website under NEWS section.
Questions/comments, please contact any Committee Member: Penny Dougherty, Rob Kurtz, Betsy Parks-Stamm, Pat Peard (co-chair), Ben Rodgers, Ginny Stelk, Merle-Marie Troeger & Tricia Wheeler (co-chair). Our contact info is available in St. Mary’s private online directory on Realm.
Our Prayer for Discernment
. Gracious God, You have blessed our past and You guide our future. We pray You will open our hearts and minds as we discern Your dreams for St. Mary’s and the selection of a new rector. Attune us to Your grace so that we may listen deeply to each other, name carefully our desires, evaluate wisely our needs and share boldly our hopes. Grant your tender guidance to all the candidates who may consider this opportunity and especially to the candidate you call to St. Mary’s. And pour out Your wisdom on us all as we ponder again how to proclaim the power of Your love and mercy to each other and the world. AMEN
Sunday, December 15 we had our first listening session in the Auditorium. We had about 17 participants excluding committee members. Thank you to parishioners who took the time during this busy season to participate in our first listening session.
The committee held its first meeting on Dec. 10. The Rev. Suzanne Roberts, Transtion & Deployment Officer from The Diocese of Maine joined us.
FROM THE WARDENS
The 2024 Saint Mary’s Vestry, led by Wardens Steve and Tom, began the transition process. Pat Peard & Tricia Wheeler were appointed Co-Chairs of the Discernment Committee (formerly Search Committee). FMI November AVE.
AVE Newsletter article from the Wardens in September 2024
Deacon Matthew Simpson shares his gratefulness and optimism about the transition.
Interim Priest in Charge
The Reverend Jane Milliken Hague is the Interim Priest in Charge while S. Mary searches for a new full-time Rector. Reverend Jane began October 15, 2024. She can be reached at JaneMHague@smary.org.
Fr Nathan’s July 16, 2024 letter to Saint Mary’s parish announcing his change
On September 29, 2024 Fr Nathan Ferrell left S. Mary’s after nearly 12 years of being its full-time Rector to go to St. Mark’s in Louisville, Kentucky to be closer to family.