To the Congregation of Grace Church Van Vorst:

      Many of you came to the two recent “Listening Days” where we listened to your questions, hopes and suggestions for Grace Van Vorst. As a Vestry, we want to continue this conversation and keep everyone updated about the search for a new Rector.

      The Reverend Nick Lannon is staying at Grace Van Vorst, now as Curate rather than Assistant Rector, and he is performing all pastoral duties—preaching, leading worship, and overseeing parish ministries and business. In addition, the Wardens and Vestry assist Nick by providing additional support and leadership.  The Diocese generally advises that churches engage an Interim Rector after a Rector leaves but we are very fortunate that Nick was already here and wants to stay with us during this time.  He knows and preaches the gospel and knows and loves this community of faith.

      In the Episcopal Church, each individual parish searches for and hires its own Rector. The Vestry will soon appoint and convene a formal search committee (comprised of parishioners and Vestry members), which will conduct the search. The first task of that committee will be to create a sub-committee to compile a parish profile that details the people, ministries, finances, successes, challenges and vision of our parish. The committee will ask for the congregation’s participation in the creation of this profile, through surveys and review, so that the final document provides a detailed parish description to candidates.  Naturally we expect our profile to be a creative, vibrant and interesting one!

      After creating the parish profile, the position is announced and the search for candidates begins. The committee will review applications, conduct interviews, visit candidates in their current churches and then provide a short-list of viable candidates to the Vestry. This can, and should be, a long process – definitely more than one year. The advantage is that we ultimately choose a Rector who fits our community.  It is a time of reflection about our past and our hopes for our future.

      Our immediate task is to map out our search process, which will be the primary topic of discussion and prayer during our upcoming Vestry Retreat (May 15-16).  We ask that you pray for us during this retreat, that you prayerfully consider how you will be participating in the search, and that you continue to pray for our church and Nick’s ministry during this time of transition.

      If you have further questions or concerns, please speak to any of us. 

Your sisters and brothers on the Vestry,  

Zoë Hauser (Warden), Chi Modu (Warden)

Stevie Clifton, Julie Dalton, Fletcher Gensamer, Mark Guerette, Kathryn Narramore, Bret Schundler