March 16, 2026

Dear Fellow Parishioners:

We are writing to share details about the formation of a Discernment Committee as we seek to call a new rector to St. Paul’s. The Committee will serve as a bridge between the congregation, the Diocese, and potential candidates. The Committee will listen carefully to the parish, engage faithfully with candidates, and steward the discernment process on behalf of the congregation. The Committee’s charge is to conduct a thoughtful, methodical, and adaptive process to identify and recommend to the Vestry one finalist to serve as the next rector of St. Paul’s.

We will follow a Diocesan-recommended, open and transparent process for selecting a committee. We invite you to prayerfully consider whether you — or someone you know — may be called to serve in this important ministry. All nominations will be thoughtfully reviewed by the Vestry. Final appointments rest with the Vestry, which will consider both individual qualifications and the overall balance of the Committee. We anticipate appointing fewer than 10 members, most likely 7 or 8.

As you reflect on potential nominees, please consider the following:

Members must:

• Be an active member of St. Paul’s.
• Be known to the Treasurer (a contributor of record).
• Be at least 16 years old.

Members should demonstrate:

• Exceptional listening and communication skills
• The ability to learn from St. Paul’s self-study and faithfully represent the voice of the parish (rather than personal preferences)
• The highest standards of confidentiality and discretion
• A collaborative and constructive team spirit
• The availability to attend regular meetings and represent St. Paul’s to rector candidates

Time Commitment:

Serving on this committee is a major time commitment. It should be considered a committee member's primary ministry within the church and primary volunteer commitment outside the church for the duration of the discernment process. The demands will ebb and flow, with periods of intense and less intense activity, and may include some travel. The Diocese estimates an average commitment of 2-4 hours per week, with approximately two in-person meetings per month, from the summer of 2026 to the arrival of a new rector in January 2028 (approximately 18 months). 

We invite you to use this link to nominate yourself or someone you know. In addition to your name and contact information, we ask that you write a short paragraph explaining your call to serve or why the nominee is well-suited for this work. The paragraph may address:

•  Spiritual maturity and commitment to St. Paul’s
• Relevant gifts or experience
• Capacity for deep listening, collaboration, and confidentiality
• Willingness and availability to commit the necessary time

If nominating someone else, please confirm their willingness to serve first.

We are accepting nominations via the online form from March 16 through April 15. Our goal is to appoint a committee that reflects the breadth and diversity of St. Paul’s — across generations, ministries, worship experiences, and perspectives — so that it represents the whole parish in this season of discernment. The Vestry plans to announce appointments by mid-May.

Thank you for prayerfully considering whether you, or someone you know, may be called to serve in this important capacity.

Faithfully,