Search and Transition Update

“So What Happens Next?”

By now most of you have received--and completed and returned (hopefully)-- the questionnaire prepared by the Transition Committee. This was the first task in our process of calling a priest. After we receive all of the questionnaires, the next step is to tabulate the data and draw some conclusions about what you want in our next priest, our worship service, activities, etc. The third and last task of the Transition Committee is to write a profile of St. Philip’s which reflects as accurately as possible, based on your input, who we are and why a priest would want to be here. At that point the profile will be submitted to the Diocesan office and posted on the St. Philip’s website; and the Search Committee will take over and begin receiving profiles of prospective candidates.

One thing that will be true of the Search process, once that gets underway, will be the absolute confidentiality that the committee must keep. That might be hard to understand, given the close community of our congregation, especially if you’ve never been in a church

Your Bishop’s Committee held its monthly meeting on August 15. Barbara Lyon presented each member with a field guide on the asset-based approach to church management. The idea is to focus on our assets rather than on our problems and needs.

Bob O’Brien reported that there were no pressing concerns in the monthly income and expenses report, and so he presented an initial overview of the 2006 budget. We will have some significant expenses for the coming year, mostly due to searching for and relocating our new pastor. To pay for this we will either have to significantly increase our pledge base, or, more likely, run a capital funds drive. We plan on making the budget before the stewardship campaign this year, so we can present figures and goals to the congregation.

Tod Connor visited from the Search Committee and reported that the Pastoral Search Questionnaire is now up on the web site. Members can download the PDF file, fill it out, and print it on their home computers. There are also blank forms available in the foyer. Vicky suggested that BC members contact their phone tree to tell them about the questionnaire, and answer any questions.

Fr. Barry presented a large quantity of financial and social data regarding our church, the diocese, and our community, and how we compare to the national averages. The giving trends over the past ten years is that

the total amount of money being given has increased, but that fewer people are doing the giving. He displayed a list of pledge amounts at St. Philip’s (without names), and showed that the top five givers are supplying 30% of the total pledge income. Also, one fourth of the regularly attending church members have not made a pledge at all. The BC found the data quite interesting, and we expect the information to be very helpful to the Stewardship Committee in forming this year’s campaign. The Stewardship Committee is already forming: Gene Pearson will lead it, with Steve Dodds acting as an advisor. Barry asked for volunteers from the BC, and Julie, Bill, Lucy, and Barbara agreed to serve.

Fr. Barry also reported that Bishop Romero is visiting St. Philip’s on Sunday, Oct. 16. The Diocesan Convention is being held at All Saints in Watsonville this year, which means that we are considered one of the hosts because it is being held in our deanery.

Bill DeRouchey reported on his progress regarding the rental property. We now have three tenants in the upstairs! Bruce Finch has rented a large space. Bruce may be interested in getting the space wired for high-speed internet access, which we could then use as an additional incentive to future renters.

Bob reported that he is in the process of getting all the forms and letters we will need to move St. Philip’s toward parish status. He will present them to the Standing Committee as soon as they are ready.

that was in this process of “search” for a priest. If names are disclosed before someone is called to St. Philip’s, it opens up all kinds of opportunities for misunderstanding or telling a friend who might have a friend who’s a neighbor of the candidate under consideration or -- well, you get the idea. By the same token, the candidates also do not know who else is under consideration.

Once the Search process begins these articles will be much more general. They will continue to appear in the newsletter in order to let you know that we are at work. Our goal continues to be to have a called priest in place shortly after Easter (priests usually do not leave their parishes from Christmas to Easter).

There will continue to be periodic announcements in church--and these will be to let you know that we are working on it, and that we are on target to meet our goal (or not).

This can be a difficult time in the life of the congregation because there will seem to be an “aura of mystery” about what’s happening. We ask for your trust and patience and continued participation in congregational life.

Karen Krestensen

Bruce Clift, Clerk