Next Steps and Sharing Your Responses

As you know, All Saints’ is in a season of transition. We have moved from the retirement of our rector in November 2025 to the welcoming of our interim rector in January 2026. This month, the search process for a new rector will formally begin. The vestry will meet with the Canon for Transitions, Canon Marion Sprott, and then work to form a rector search committee. If you are interested in serving on the search committee, please click here, where you will find the guidelines and application.

During this interim period, the search committee, vestry, congregation, and interim rector will be asked to participate in various types of interim work. At the Annual Meeting, held January 25 via Zoom because of the winter storm, two questions were posed for the parish’s consideration. Your responses are an important beginning to the process of gathering information about the life and ministry of All Saints’, which is part of our interim work. Here are the responses you’ve shared so far. 

How can we make All Saints’ Episcopal Church more effective in its ministry, both personally and corporately?

• More chances to connect across the two worship times: fellowship dinners, church outings, breakfasts, etc.
• Honestly, I think we’re doing a very good job. We need to continue to encourage newer members to join in. Advertise volunteer opportunities. Report successes. Emphasize that the things we do in ministries are our way of being the hands and feet of Jesus, and of loving like Jesus commanded us to love.
• Get bigger! More members. Either you’re growing or dying.
• We can start by remembering our baptismal covenant to respect the dignity of every human being. This includes members of our own congregation. For example, when a person offers an opinion, suggestion, or solution, don’t forget it, ignore it, or dismiss it in public. This stifles creativity and participation.
• I have only been here a little over a year and find it quite effective, so I am not sure. I am impressed with the outreach, friendliness, and all other aspects of the church thus far. From my point of view, I would only say keep on doing what you are doing and stay current with our drastically changing national landscape but also stay focused on scripture and the liturgy.
• Explain the word “ministry” to new members. 
• Really engage our working and stay-at-home moms in what THEY need from All Saints’ and don’t assume that what older members need is what our younger families need. Example: some of these folks might want to serve on the Altar Guild. But they meet on Friday morning, which is not doable for them.
• Have more cross activities with other churches in the area.

What qualities do you want in the new Rector?

• Listening ear, willingness to un-gender the Deity.
• A warm and loving heart. Accessibility. Willingness to listen. Humility. Ability to relate to parishioners of all ages.
• I hope to see evidence of the Fruit of the Spirit in the new rector’s life and ministry (Gal 5: 22, 23)
• Proven experience in church growth and evangelism. Off the charts in emotional intelligence. Know when to praise someone and when to constructively criticize. Well organized and detail oriented.
• Kindness, compassion, decision maker, intelligence, problem solver, and, of course, a Rector grounded solidly in the theology of the church.
• Someone who understands and preaches the original intended meaning of a text based on its historical, grammatical, and literary context rather than one’s own bias, ideas, or presuppositions.  I’d also like to see someone who understands finance, who is committed to pastoral care in all its definitions, not just for those who are sick. Finally, I would love to have another woman. I have seen too many male priests, who can be condescending and dismissive of women in the congregation.
• One who is very passionate about using sacred music, and one who is funny, active, and friendly with all members of the church

If you have not responded yet, please feel free to continue to provide answers to these questions either here or by emailing Erin, our administrator. Your answers will be forwarded to the vestry