Leadership Transition
Discernment committee update
The St. Mary’s Vestry, led by Wardens Steve & Tom, approved the slate of nominees for the committee at the November 20 meeting. Members of the committee are: Penny Dougherty, Rob Kurtz, Betsy Parks-Stamm, Pat Peard, Ben Rodgers,Ginny Stelk, Merle Marie Troeger & Tricia Wheeler.
There were over 20 nominations! Thank you to all who were nominated or nominated themselves.
SAVE THE DATE: The discernment process is a prayerful and collaborative parish-wide effort. The first of three roundtable discussions will be held on Sunday, December 15 at 11:30 in the Auditorium. Please plan to attend. Committee members will facilitate roundtable discussions with parishioners. The information will be used to prepare a profile for St. Mary’s. The two additional roundtable discussions will be scheduled in early 2025. We also hope to have an online survey to gather additional information for the profile.
Our Prayer for Discernment
Loving God, be with us and guide us by your spirit as we work on this sacred task that we’ve undertaken. Open our minds, hearts, and souls to your leading and to each other, as we work together in the assurance that you will be ever present and help us in finding our way.
Enable us to be open to listen to you God, to listen to each other and to listen to ourselves as we week what is best for our congregation, and for continuing our outreach and mission. Please help us to be sensitive and understanding of the true needs and purpose you have in mind for us in this endeavor. Help us to be willing to share and to be open about feelings and perceptions that will shape our decisions and choices in the task ahead.
We also pray for the candidates who will consider this opportunity and especially for the person you will call and we will invite to be our Rector. Like us, may they be guided by your promptings and grounded in your love and assurance as they, to, seek your will.
Above all, we pray that our work will be pleasing to you and support the continued growth and mission of St. Mary’s in our community and in our world. May your will be done and may our desire to show and share your love always be at the center of what we do. AMEN
FROM THE WARDENS
The 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
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. Pastor Jane began October 15, 2024. She can be reached at JaneMHague@smary.org.
Fr Nathan’s July 16 letter to Saint Mary’s parish announcing his change
On September 29, 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.