The search for our new Rector

Profile & Search Committee

The Profile & Search Committee posed for a group picture, Sunday Feb 5th.

—Click to enlarge

Welcome to the section of our website devoted to the recently completed search for our new rector. We would like to thank the members of our Profile & Search Committee (PSC) for their hard work and dedication. Thanks also to the many excellent candidates who applied for the position, and to Canon Michael Barlowe and his able assistant Denise Obando for their guidance throughout the process.

We thank you Lord for your presence beside us throughout our journey, and for your help and guidance to a successful conclusion.

St. Bartholomew's Parish Profile

Parish Profile

After completing the search process, the vestry called Rev. Joyce Parry Moore as our new rector. Mother Joyce accepted our call on March 3rd and began her ministry here on Monday April 16, 2012.

With joyous hearts, we welcome Mother Joyce to St. Bart's, and we thank Mother Debbie for her work with us as our Interim Rector.

Click the link to read a brief bio of Rev. Joyce Parry Moore.

The Search Process

[updated April 16, 2012]

As our search began, the process was described in detail in a message to the parish from our Junior Warden. We began in December 2010 with the formation of our Profile & Search Committee (PSC). After some preparatory work in January and February 2011, the committee kicked into high gear in March, conducting a demographic survey and two Parish Town Meetings. PSC members also met individually with parishioners unable to participate in the Town Hall meetings.

Timeline

Begining in November 2010 with the hiring of our Interim Rector and the selection of the members of the Profile & Search Committee, our goal was to follow an 18 month timeline to call our new rector.

This graphic shows the expectations as agreed between PSC and Vestry, with the plan on the left of the timeline and our actual performance to this plan on the right.

Search Timeline

In order to understand the collective opinion of the congregation, all parishioners were asked 4 questions:

  1. What are we doing as a congregation that works for you?
  2. What other things would you like to see this congregation do that we are not doing?
  3. What kinds of things could this congregation do to expand our outreach into the larger community?
  4. What are some of the attributes that our new rector will need to lead the congregation toward what you have identified?

Over 75% of our parishioners responded, either personally or via group discussion at one of the Town Meetings.

From May through July 2011, the PSC focused on preparing the application package, including the Parish Profile, application questions and financial analysis. The Profile was approved by the PSC on July 7th and subsequently by the Vestry at their meeting on July 20th, and by the Diocese on August 2nd. The remainder of the application package was approved by the diocese on August 10th, clearing the way for us to begin accepting applications.

Our application window was open from August 10 through October 15, 2011. A total of 21 candidates submitted applications, from which the PSC selected 6 candidates for interview.

Telephone interviews began on Nov 4th, from which 4 finalists were selected for in-person interview. Site visits were completed in January 2012, and the list of final candidates was presented to the Vestry on February 2nd.

The Vestry invited these candidates to St. Bart's for final interview during February.

After a lot of discussion and prayer, the vestry selected a new rector on March 2nd. After receiving clearance from Canon Barlowe and the Bishop, the call was issued and accepted on March 3rd 2012!

Grateful thanks are due to Canon Michael Barlowe, Canon for Congregational Ministries, whose responsibilities on behalf of the Bishop include helping parishes through the search process. With the help of Canon Michael, and his wonderful assistant Denise, we were able to negotiate this process and successfully discern God's will for our parish.

The knowledge that God had already chosen our new rector and that our job was to discern his will and reach out to the person already chosen, sustained us on our journey of discovery. We thank you gracious Lord!