What does a Discernment Committee do?

by Tricia Wheeler and Pat Peard

A Discernment Committee (formerly Search Committee) leads the Parish in prayerfully choosing its next Rector in accordance with The Episcopal Church procedures and guidelines. Because the process is a Human Resources/Hiring process, there are strict guidelines and confidentiality standards to which we must adhere.

In September, Pat Peard and Tricia Wheeler were appointed Co-Chairs of the Committee. Suzanne Roberts from the Diocese of Maine was a guest at the October Vestry meeting to provide an overview of the Discernment process.

She explained the process can take 12 – 18 months. Below are highlights:

• Request Nominations for the Committee (we plan to have the Committee appointed by Vestry in November)

• Parish community prayerfully answer 12 open-ended questions to create the S. Mary profile (we are investigating ways to gather responses in person and online)

• Committee review/edit responses to 12 questions and submit to Diocese

• Diocese posts job and S. Mary profile in accordance with The Episcopal Church procedures

• Diocese pre-screen applicants then submit to Co-Chairs. Starting at this time, Confidentiality is at the utmost in order to protect the privacy of candidates. Committee members will be transparent about the process but will not provide any names or details about candidates.

• Committee confidentially narrow selection then have video interview with top candidates

• Committee confidentially narrow selection further and invite selected candidates and families for confidential visit to Maine.

• Committee confidentially narrow selection to final candidate and confidentially present to Vestry (presentation, among other things, will be the candidate’s resume, profile, reasons for Committee’s recommendation)

• Vestry confidentially decide on final candidate. If recommendation accepted by Vestry, Committee work is complete.

• Wardens and Diocese make offer, negotiate, sign Letter of Agreement, schedule start date, onboarding process/orientation, moving, etc.

Step 1 is setting up the Committee. Please self-nominate or nominate others after obtaining their permission to nominate them. Notably, Committee work will be time-consuming and strictly confidential. After receipt of job applications, the Committee will meet at least once or possibly twice a week. Please email Pat at: [email protected] or Tricia at [email protected] if you are interested and have time to serve on the Committee.