Transition Period Information Meeting December 21, 2014

The Lord be with you. (And also with you.) Let us pray. Holy gracious God, we thank you for the blessing of family. Lord we thank you for this family gathered here; we ask that your presence be among us as we ask and learn about the direction that we are going for a new rector. Lord we know that every step along that way you will be with us, so we need not fear. Lord we ask a special blessing on this congregation, that they may continue during this time of transition to be your light in this world. Amen. And p.s., thank you for our leaders in this transition time. Amen.

Agenda Transition Overview What we’ve done so far Next steps Questions and Answers

Transition Overview Say good-bye to Janie Find an interim rector Rector search Welcome our new rector

Say good-bye to Janie Done, thank you. 246 attended Find an Interim Rector Done: Reverend Christy Shain-Hendricks arrives January 1 Pot-luck welcome brunch between 9:00 and 11:15 services on January 4, her first Sunday

Common Questions about the Interim Rector Why couldn’t George be our Interim Rector? The Holy Spirit had already called George to Tomball. Will the Vestry be running things during the interim? No. Reverend Christy is our rector, full stop. “Interim” is only a description of her time here. If we like her, can we keep Rev. Christy as our rector? No, both by policy and Rev. Christy’s calling. Is her purpose to “shake things up”? Her role is guide us through this transition period, without either getting too comfortable.

Common Questions about the Interim Rector Why couldn’t she start sooner? She needed the time to transition from her previous ministry, celebrate Christmas with her family and move to Houston. What do we call her? Her preference is Christy, or “Reverend Christy” if you prefer.

Transition Overview Say good-bye to Janie Find an interim rector Rector search Welcome our new rector

Rector Search Overview PRE-SEARCH Vestry ACTIVE SEARCH Search Committee THE CALL Vestry Form the Brochure CommitteeGather namesApprove at a Vestry meeting Conduct a congregational evaluation Vetting the applicantsInform the Candidate Hold a Visioning EventForm committee teamsCandidate’s Visit Review financesVisit candidatesAcceptance of Call Prepare the rector’s packageShorten the ListDocuments of Call Form the Search CommitteePresent the nameInform the Congregation

Rector Search Overview PRE-SEARCH Vestry ACTIVE SEARCH Search Committee THE CALL Vestry Form the Brochure CommitteeGather namesApprove at a Vestry meeting Conduct a congregational evaluation Vetting the applicantsInform the Candidate Hold a Visioning EventForm committee teamsCandidate’s Visit Review financesVisit candidatesAcceptance of Call Prepare the rector’s packageShorten the ListDocuments of Call Form the Search CommitteePresent the nameInform the Congregation Sequence of events is important The Search Committee is formed after the rest have been completed. It will probably take four to six months to complete Next Steps

Brochure Committee Ready to form now Two or three people Present information to the prospective candidates and community about the church Outline of core values, mission and vision that is determined by Visioning Event and Parish Survey Goals: Complete brochure before Search Committee is formed Publish on parish website immediately prior to Active Search

Congregational Evaluation C ORE V ALUES Clergy candidates expect congregation recently has defined its core values. Vestry members, carefully selected ministry heads, leaders & new members (1 year or less) will be a part of this process. M ISSION S TATEMENT Does a mission statement exist? Does the statement reflect the current mission? If so, it is reviewed during pre-search process. If not, create a new mission statement with no more than 20 persons.

Visioning Event A weekend meeting with a minimum number of participants, including Vestry members and key parish leaders. Objectives: Discern vision for immediate future of ministry (1-3 years) Identify desired skills, qualities and leadership style needed to lead congregation into fulfillment of its vision and mission Results will be included in the brochure.

Parish Survey A brief survey to each member of congregation to Generate demographic information about the congregation Discern mind of the congregation concerning the next Rector in relation to ministry goals established at Visioning Event Provide opportunity for parishioners to nominate clergy candidates who exemplify leadership profile Results will be published on parish website prior to the beginning of Active Search

Community Portfolio National database for churches and clergy in transition A member of the Search Committee will edit our online portfolio When finished, the Canon to the Ordinary will release our Community Portfolio Will be used by the diocese to vet candidates, to ensure they are a good fit for Emmanuel

Search Committee F ORMING THE S EARCH C OMMITTEE Parishioners can nominate potential Search Committee members. Vestry is responsible for electing the Search Committee. Interim and other clergy cannot serve on a Search Committee or take a role in Active Search. C HARACTERISTICS OF A M EMBER Person of prayer Committed to parish life through work, worship & stewardship Respects confidentiality Team player Available for weekly meetings & to travel for interview visits.

Search Committee C OMPOSITION OF THE S EARCH C OMMITTEE Seven to nine diverse members, maximum of twelve, including representation (2 or 3) from Vestry Senior Warden serves as ex officio and attends committee meetings. Has no contact with candidates; no visits; no vote. Committee Chair chosen by Search Committee from among its members Search Committee Commissioning at Sunday service prior to Active Search

Common Questions about the Rector Search Updates will be on our website: How can I be on (or nominate someone to be on) the search committee? Contact any vestry member, or use the online registration form. What if I know of a priest that would be a good candidate? Contact any vestry member.

Common Questions about the Rector Search What can I do? We need a couple more people on the Brochure Committee Complete your pledge card, if you have not already done so Include Emmanuel in your prayers during this process

Questions?