St. Martin’s Episcopal Church

Update on the Search Process
A Summary of Past Events and Our Proposed Path Forward
June 3, 2009

Dear St. Martin’s Parishioner,

We want you to be informed about the status of our search for a new rector and this letter presents the unfolding of events the past few weeks and our forward plan.

Why Don’t We Have a New Rector?

During April and into May, St. Martin’s Vestry interviewed the three finalists identified by the Search Committee as top candidates for rector of our parish. Prior to the Vestry meeting to determine which of the three would receive the call, one of the candidates accepted a position at another parish. The Vestry then evaluated the remaining two and identified a clear first choice. Unfortunately, that priest declined our call for “personal and family” reasons. No effort was made to “talk” the candidate into accepting the call. Although we were disappointed, what matters most is an unwavering need to call a priest who wants to lead us as much as we want to be led by that person. And the remaining candidate was not pursued because the Vestry felt this priest was not the best fit for St. Martin’s.

The Revised Plan

Within days of learning that our call had not been successful, the Vestry, along with Heidi Gioia, representing the Search Committee, met with Dan Smith (Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of Missouri) for guidance on our next steps. Dan told us to not look at “also rans” but to go forward to find 3 or 4 new final candidates. Importantly, he agreed to escort us through an abbreviated search process. He will develop a list of 8-10 candidates, prescreened by Dan as being ready, willing and able to come to St. Martin’s. The names will be given to the Search Committee. The Search Committee will evaluate each of these candidates-telephone interviews, reference checks, and home visits-and nominate the 3 or 4 best candidates to the Vestry for final selection.

It’s reasonable to ask yourself, “How will this process provide us with a new list of candidates?” First, almost 8 months have elapsed since we developed a list of candidates agreeing to enter into the initial stages of a discernment process with us. And time changes much. For instance, the economic downturn has negatively affected the financial well-being of many churches. Thus, the need to reduce budgets has put clergy positions at risk at many churches and we anticipate a number of priests will need to find new positions in the near future. In addition, the General Convention is in July and Dan Smith has the role of assisting priests update their resumes. Many of these priests will be pursuing new positions and Dan will be positioned to recommend prime candidates to the Search Committee.

Additional Important Considerations

The Search Committee will remain largely intact. We are grateful to Heidi Gioia, Co-chair, and to Tim Ware for their valuable service on the Search Committee. They will not continue on the committee due to personal commitments, but we are fortunate to have added Susan Gillies and Sean Parker as new Search Committee members. Jack Hanley will replace Heidi Gioia as co-chair and Erv Heyde will continue as co-chair.

You can help. Our number one choice in the last search effort was originally referred to the Search Committee by a parishioner. If you know of a priest whom you think should be at St. Martin’s, please inform Erv or Jack. Remember, that this is not a search for a CEO; we are looking for a spiritual leader-someone called to us by the Holy Spirit.

Although this is not where we wanted to be at this point, we are confident we are only a few months away from calling a new rector who will help us fulfill our Christian mission. This is not starting over. The months of work that went into developing the parish profile and the experience gained identifying and interviewing potential candidates will prove invaluable as we go forward.

Please contact any member of the Vestry or the Search Committee if you have questions or suggestion. Pray for us. With God’s help, we expect to call our next rector within the next 4 to 5 months.

Yours truly,

Bob Buehler, Senior Warden
Sherrie Algren, Junior Warden
Erv Heyde, Search Committee Co-chair
Jack Hanley, Search Committee Co-chair