Transition PeriodInformation

MeetingDecember 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 OverviewPRE-SEARCH

VestryACTIVE SEARCH

Search CommitteeTHE CALL

Vestry

Form the Brochure Committee Gather names Approve at a Vestry meeting

Conduct a congregational evaluation Vetting the applicants Inform the Candidate

Hold a Visioning Event Form committee teams Candidate’s Visit

Review finances Visit candidates Acceptance of Call

Prepare the rector’s package Shorten the List Documents of Call

Form the Search Committee Present the name Inform the Congregation

Rector Search OverviewPRE-SEARCH

VestryACTIVE SEARCH

Search CommitteeTHE CALL

Vestry

Form the Brochure Committee Gather names Approve at a Vestry meeting

Conduct a congregational evaluation Vetting the applicants Inform the Candidate

Hold a Visioning Event Form committee teams Candidate’s Visit

Review finances Visit candidates Acceptance of Call

Prepare the rector’s package Shorten the List Documents of Call

Form the Search Committee Present the name Inform 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 EvaluationCORE VALUES• 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.

MISSION STATEMENT• 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 EventA 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 CommitteeFORMING THE SEARCH COMMITTEE• 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.CHARACTERISTICS OF A MEMBER• 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 CommitteeCOMPOSITION OF THE SEARCH COMMITTEE• 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:www.emmanuel-houston.org/transition• 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?