Discernment Committee News:       (as of 5/24/2008)

The Discernment committee has met and we have started the process. Our first step is to gather information for the Profile committee. We have put together a brief survey that we hope everyone 12 years old and over will fill out individually. The survey will be available for you to pick up on June 8th at Church. Any surveys not picked up will be mailed (so please make an effort to help us save some postage money!) All surveys should be returned by June 15th. The committee is meeting on the 18th to compile all the data.

We are also putting together another survey that will help us narrow in on what characteristics Saint David's is looking for in our new Rector. These surveys will hopefully be a catalyst to begin your reflection upon your spiritual needs and the needs of Saint David's.

What Next??? When???

Fifteen members of St. David’s met with The Rev. Canon Tori Duncan on Tuesday, November 27 to learn the process and steps to be taken to call St. David’s next rector. She began by reminding us that until a new rector is called, the Wardens remain the legal authorities and signatories of the parish as designated by Canon of the Church and State laws. Canon Tori outlined the necessary committees and their responsibilities. She also pointed out that it would be a minimum of a year before we would be ready to call a new rector. Given the upcoming holidays, St. David’s is realistically looking at a year and a half or so. The committees are:

(1) Profile – responsible for answering questions such as “who is St. David’s?” “who lives and works in W. Seneca and WNY?” The end product, which could be paper, CD and/or webpage, will be used to tell the story of who we are to prospective clergy. The committee needs persons with artistic vision and creativity. The committee also needs persons who can gather and work with data and detail. Suggested number of committee members is about 6.

(2) Discernment – will work along side of Profile Committee, identifying “where is St. David’s going?” and “what will the new rector “look like?” Above all else, Canon Tori pointed out that this committee needs people committed to prayer and discernment as to who God is calling for us. This committee will work with Canon Tori as clergy names are received. After the “paper” interviews, there will be phone conference calls and visits out or visits in with up to four persons. In the end, this committee makes its recommendation to the Vestry. The Vestry is responsible for the final choice. This committee needs 9 to 12 people.

(3) Transition – will be responsible for welcoming the new rector. This can take several forms, but should be a functioning committee for up to 18 months after the new rector arrives. Sadly, only one person out of eight who had originally asked to be considered for the profile or discernment committee attended this meeting. Doug Turner was given a notebook by Canon Tori with the details of the process. 

Questions were asked. Money was talked about (see Stewardship report elsewhere). Hiring an Interim priest was discussed with Butch Wiest pointing out the Vestry supported having an Interim for at least a year.

More details of this meeting and the committees’ responsibilities will be presented at the Annual Meeting on December 9th at 9 AM. 

A New Way

We began our next journey by welcoming Supply Clergy each Sunday to preside at our worship and celebrate the Eucharist. Since July 1st, we have experienced a variety of clergy with different preaching styles and ways of celebrating the Eucharist. What can one say? After nineteen years it can be difficult to not to see the same Celebrant at the altar. On the other hand, it has been a good exposure to other ways of ‘doing’ worship and every member is urged to have this experience for themselves.  

It has been a discovery trip to realize how much goes into the back ground before and during a service when members of the congregation accept more responsibility for parts that used to be taken care of by the priest and/or deacon.  

Lectors (readers of the Lessons) now include several new persons. After meeting in July with Warden Butch Wiest, the Lectors are reading the lessons, leading the Psalm and the Prayers of the People. At present, readers at the 8 service are Jennifer Greco, Denis Funseth. Lynne Smith is reading at 8 because there are not enough readers for that service and Ginger Trautwein will help out “as needed”. During the summer when there was no Church School, Drew Laudenslager, Suzanne Pearce and Dylan Pearce were also Lectors at 8.  

Lectors at the 10am service are Todd Dearlove, Bob Forrest, Michael Matthews, Suzanne Pearce and Butch and Carol Wiest. 

There are a number of Chalice Bearers at the 8 am service. Besides Jennifer Greco and Denis Funseth, Andy Greco and Pat Jeziorowski are serving in this ministry. Thankfully, Jennifer Greco has been shepherding this group through the process. 

Chalice Bearers at the 10 am service are Todd Dearlove, Butch and Carol Wiest and Alene Brock. On occasion to fill in gaps Bill Gentry and Doug Turner will fill in. Also Jon Brumbaugh from the post-confirmation class will fill in. 

As noted, not all Lectors are Chalice Bearers and not all Chalice Bearers are Lectors.  This can add to scheduling difficulties. Karen Kroll has bravely taken on this task and is doing a remarkable job. 
 

How Is a Parish Governed During the Time of Transition?

• Article 3 of the New York State Religious Corporation Law spells out how parishes are to be governed including the time when a priest is not present. The Wardens become the legal and responsible temporal and spiritual leaders until such time as a rector takes responsibility.
• This means the Wardens in consultation with the Vestry make decisions for the good of the parish. They must be conscious of the spiritual needs of the congregation. Wardens assume responsibility for the continuance of parish life and preside at Vestry meetings, special meetings and the Annual meeting. Vestry is responsible for the conduct of worship services. All properties belonging to the parish are under the care of the Wardens. 
• Below is an outline of who to contact. Following this outline will help us not fall victims to confusion, disorder, rumors and false assumptions about parish matters. 

WHO DO I CALL IF……?: