While that process unfolds, the leadership of an interim rector, working closely with our excellent parish staff and dedicated lay leaders and volunteers, allows the parish to continue to focus on pastoral care, worship, outreach, children’s and youth ministry, spiritual formation, our “village green” ministries, and all the other offerings for which St. Stephen’s has become known and which have contributed to the sustained growth of this church— one of the 20 largest in the Episcopal Church—during a time when mainline churches in general are losing members. “I am so excited to welcome Pat Wingo to St. Stephen’s,” said Mr. Stanley. “I look forward to working closely with him in this important, interim time. His experience in large systems—both within and outside the Diocese of Virginia—will be a wonderful addition to our already strong team of clergy, lay staff, and lay leadership. I have every confidence that he will come among us
What happens now?
to help strengthen the already sure foundation that is in place here.” The vestry will appoint a discernment committee (also known as a search committee) later this year to recruit, interview and evaluate clergy to lead this large, vibrant parish. That committee will eventually make recommendations to the vestry, which will issue a call. (See “What happens now,” below.) While there is no fixed length for the interim and search period, it is typically between 12 and 16 months. As the wardens said in their letter to the parish when Gary announced his decision to retire from St. Stephen’s, we will honor his extraordinary legacy by working together with great enthusiasm and hope as we begin our next chapter. We are delighted to have Pat Wingo to lead us on that journey. ✤
The vestry, staff and discernment committee (a group which many of us have known as a “search committee” in the past) will communicate regularly with the parish in the coming months. Be sure you’re subscribed to the eSpirit and that the parish office has up-to-date contact information for you. For now, however, we share with you the following steps as outlined by the Rev. Sarah Brockenbrough, the diocesan transition minister.
At any given time, about 20 percent of the 179 churches in the Diocese of Virginia are in transition. Those churches and clergy are tended by our bishop and diocesan staff throughout this time. When congregations in the Diocese of Virginia experience transition, they follow a process that includes a number of important steps, including the following: • The Diocese of Virginia’s transition minister meets with the vestry to learn more about the life of the congregation. Their conversation also includes current diocesan discernment practices, the steps of the transition process and the vestry’s role in it. This is taking place at the July 2021 meeting of St. Stephen’s vestry. • The vestry calls an interim priest; this occurred in May 2021, with the calling of the Rev. Pat Wingo, who arrives in July. • The vestry appoints a discernment committee. We expect this to take place by this fall.
• The discernment committee leads the vestry and congregation in self-study. • The discernment committee uses information gathered during the selfstudy to create a Community Ministry Portfolio, which provides an overview of the church and its vision. • The discernment committee works with the vestry and staff to communicate regularly with the congregation. At St. Stephen’s, this will occur through such communications methods as the eSpirit, our Web site, and Seasons of the Spirit. • The discernment committee receives names and engages in discernment with qualified candidates. • The diocesan transition staff “vets” final candidates. • The discernment committee presents a final candidate to the vestry.
• If affirmed, vestry and the candidate work to establish the terms of the call and set out a letter of agreement which is signed by the bishop, senior warden, and newly-called rector. • The vestry and newly-called rector work in partnership to time the announcement of the new call in their respective congregations. On average, congregations move through a transition over the course of 16 months. This time of discernment is a formative spiritual process. As Bishop Goff says when she blesses churches engaged in this work: May you listen closely for the movement of the Spirit as you seek to separate the voice of God from all of the other voices that compete for your attention. Then, may you have the grace and courage to respond to God’s voice in trust.
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