From the Interim Rector

We have our roadmap-now what?

If this transition period at Calvary can be compared with a journey-say, of the Israelites through the wilderness-the Annual Meeting was a gas station on the road. We are energized! New leaders have been elected for vestry and for the Diocesan Convention. The Profile Committee has already begun its work. We have our roadmap and our leaders. Now we can be on our way.

Like all journeys, this one will come with work to do. On my first camping trip, I was rather surprised that, unlike in the movies, I had to actually help do some work like set up the tent, get a fire going, and clean up after the meals. In the movies, you don't see people doing the grunt work.

In the real world, there are camping trips which are intentional activities, and there is "camping out," which is what you do unintentionally, when you haven't planned to be there. The Israelites began their exodus by a hurried "camping out," but God, through Moses' leadership, turned their wilderness journey into an intentional preparation for the end of their road, the Promised Land.

We have setup the transition tent-that is, the process and structure of an intentional interim. The Profile Committee is an important symbolic-and real-first step. In a way, this committee will be the brain of the search process, for its members will compile the information that will go into the church's profile, and make sure that the information is complete and accurate, and that it includes the perspectives of all members so that no one is left out of this document of Calvary's self-identity.

This part of the journey is so important that we will not rush through it. A tent put up hastily is one that will topple in the slightest wind. Remember the parable of the house built on sand?

Much of the profile, then, is gathered by what we call "self-study." We are looking at ourselves as a parish, and ourselves individually in our role at Calvary. The congregational survey will gather basic information about its members and how they see the church. Small group sessions, taking place in Lent, will allow for more in-depth input from each of you, raising issues, concerns, hopes, dreams, and ideas about your church. We need the feedback from all of you-young and old-in order to create a true and accurate profile that reflects the real Calvary and that will speak to the rector that you need and want.

If you have any questions for the Profile Committee, here are the members: Eric Landen (chair), Helene Ault, Stephen Clarson, Maggie Davis, Sharon Grayton, Bob Hauck, David Meyer, Florine Postell, and Dick Sininger, with Maris Bernard and Duane Lewis as vestry liaisons.

As for the survey and the group-talks, please take part. For the good of Calvary and its future, you are all needed. And now-off we go!