The change of leadership in any organization offers important challenges and opportunities.  Obviously, there can be uncertainty and anxiety, and there is the temptation to remove that anxiety by too quickly replacing the leader.  Instead it is important to use the transition time wisely to determine where we are and who we are and to move deliberately to find the leader best suited to lead us in the future.

The Episcopal Church has a carefully designed process for churches in transition.  On September 10th, Canon Barbara Price, the bishop's deputy for transition ministry, will meet with the vestry to go over the process.  She will assist the vestry in finding and calling an interim rector who will provide priestly ministry and leadership during the transition.  She will also coach the wardens and vestry as they appoint profile and search committees.

The profile committee will be charged with developing a profile of St. Luke's.  Parishioners will be asked to participate in this process and to offer their thoughts, their hopes and their dreams for the parish going forward.  This profile will form the basis by which prospective candidates will view St. Luke's as they discern a call to serve here.  Later on the search committee will receive names of prospective rectors and will seek to discern the one whom God has chosen to lead.

At times, this can seem a slow and frustrating process.  It can often take a year or more from the time a rector leaves to the time a new rector is called.  But experience has shown that in parishes of St. Luke's size, where clergy have served for ten years or more, this process is essential in preparing for a successful transition to new leadership. 

During this time the ministries of St. Luke's will continue.  We need our members to stay involved and connected.  We will need everyone's help and support as we continue to serve God and God's people.  In fact, this is a time when we really need the members to step up, both to serve on these two important committees and to do the ongoing work of ministry.

But the most important thing we can do throughout this process is to pray.  Please start now and pray earnestly and fervently that God will guide, sustain and strengthen us during the coming months, that God will bless Susan, Eric and the girls, and that God will lead the right person to us as our next rector.

                                                  --- St. Luke's Vestry