News Feed - Archive
6/1/2011 From the Nominating Committee
Our search for a new rector is rounding the far turn now as we conduct telephone (Skype) interviews with all selected prospects. These interviews should have been completed by the end of May at which time selected candidates will be invited to Versailles for in-depth interviews by the nominating committee and a tour of both St. John's and the
Versailles community. The local interviews will likely take up much of the month of June. An important aspect of the local interview is scheduling a visit for each candidate with our Diocesan Bishop, Stacy Sauls. As always the support and prayers of the entire congregation remain a critical element in
our progress in this important endeavor.
4/25/2011 - Interim Process Update from Nominating Committee Chair Ned Meekins
On Good Friday, April 22, the Nominating Committee received from Bishop Sauls names of the applicants whom he has screened for the position of rector of St. John's. On the following day a letter, which included a questionnaire, was sent to each person, requesting a response within two weeks. Thus, the actual interview stage of the search process is upon us. We urgently request the prayers of the entire parish for discernment and guidance as we enter this critical stage of the search process.
Ned Meekins & the Nominating Committee
4/1/2011 - Interim Process Update from Nominating Committee Chair Ned Meekins
During the past month while our opening for a new rector at St. John's was posted on the Church Deployment Office and the Office of Transition Ministry web sites, the Nominating Committee has been engaged in multiple tasks in preparation for the interview stage of our search. Chief among these tasks was developing questions to ask individual candidates which would reflect the hopes, desires, and preferences of our parishioners as gleaned from our Holy Conversations. Simultaneously, we have been preparing what the transition specialists refer to as a living portfolio which is simply a brochure which contains information about the local community (including significant Lexington features such as the University of Kentucky, the Kentucky Horse Park, and Keeneland). But the emphasis is on the Versailles/Woodford County area including schools, medical care, the library, public utilities, Midway college, etc. These living portfolios will be provided to all candidates who are interviewed. Once the initial screening of candidates is completed at the Diocesan level and the most promising candidates are referred to the Nominating Committee, initial interviews will be conducted by telephone before candidates are invited to Versailles for an on-site interview. If the number of candidates who have expressed an interest to the Diocesan Office of Transition Ministries is any indication, our opening appears to be attractive to a wide range of candidates. Again, we ask for your continuing prayers and support throughout this entire process which is so vitally important to the future of St John's.
2/27/2011 - Interim Process Update from Nominating Committee Chair Ned Meekins
Interim Process Update The Nominating Committee has made rapid progress during the past several weeks. Our goals and challenges, which were derived from parishioner input during the Holy Conversations, have been approved both at the Vestry and at the Diocesan levels. These goals and challenges subsequently have been included in a brochure which contains a broad overview of St. John's, including both our history and our parish life today. This brochure will help define our opening to prospective candidates and, consequently, serve as a recruiting tool for us.
While probably the majority of candidates for our opening will respond via the Church Deployment Office posting, it is important that parishioners at St. John's have a means of recommending candidates whom they deem qualified as well. Therefore, Nomination Forms will be placed in Hosea Hall for the purpose of recommending qualified candidates. The recommended individual must sign the form authorizing his/her name to be submitted for consideration. (Not having the approval of the person being recommended could lead to a very awkward and time-consuming situation!)
As we approach the actual screening and interviewing phase of our search, parishioners are encouraged to contact any member of the Nominating Committee- Gayle Box, Debby Edelen, Ann Miller, Ron Mobley, Vickie Duff, Ann Richmond, Linda Reeves, Julie Ross, Sarah Sandknop, and Ned Meekins- with any questions or suggestions. And the continued prayers and support of the parish become even more important as we progress.
1/25/2011 - Interim Process Update from Nominating Committee Chair Ned Meekins
Interim Process Update
After analyzing the information derived from all four of the Holy Conversations the Nominating Committee has developed four goals toward which the parish aspires, and four challenges which we face together as a congregation. Once these goals and challenges are reviewed and approved by both our vestry and at the Diocesan level, they will be included in a brochure which will contain a broad overview of St. John's, including both our history and our parish life today. Because this publication will be made available to all potential candidates for our opening, it is imperative that it is an accurate, honest, and thorough depiction of our St. John's community.
Throughout the entire search process, parishioners are encouraged to contact any member of the Nominating Committee - Ned Meekins, Gayle Box, Debby Edelen, Ann Miller, Ron Mobley, Vickie Duff, Ann Richmond, Linda Reeves, Julie Ross, and Sarah Sandknop - with any questions, suggestions, or recommendations. And as the search effort progresses, continued prayers and support of the parish become even more important than ever.
Ned Meekins, Chair
12/26/2010 - A letter from Nominating Committee Chair Ned Meekins
Following completion of the four Holy Conversations on December 8 your Nominating Committee began the next phase of the search process – that of dissecting and analyzing the large volume of information proffered by the parish membership. This examination of parishioners’ wishes, hopes, dreams, and values continued well into the holiday season and should be completed early in the New Year. This information will form the very foundation of our search in that it will define not only the type of candidate we are seeking to attract, but also to an extent the ministries we seek to support and expand. Thus, the Holy Conversations were a vitally important part of the search process.
Throughout the entire search process, please feel free to contact any member of the Nominating Committee – Gayle Box, Debby Edelen, Ann Miller, Ron Mobley, Vickie Duff, Ann Richmond, Linda Reeves, Julie Ross, and Sarah Sandknop – with your questions, suggestions, and recommendations. As we proceed in our search efforts, we ask for your continued prayers and support for our efforts.
Ned Meekins, Chair
12/11/2010 - A letter from Nominating Committee Chair Ned Meekins
Now that we have completed the fourth and final Holy Conversation in the process of gathering parish-wide input in our search for a new rector, we turn to the next phase, that of compiling and analyzing that information. Next we must accurately describe the attributes of St. John's which a prospective candidate will encounter and then establish a precise profile of the ideal candidates we are seeking to attract. An accurate, honest assessment in both of these areas is vitally important for our search to be successful. And, because of the broad-based, candid participation of such a large portion of the parish, I am confident that we are well-positioned to craft a precise description and an accurate profile which will properly represent our needs. Thank you for your broad-based and in-depth commitment in the Holy Conversations; the likelihood of our achieving success in our recruitment effort is greatly enhanced by your extensive participation.
Further, I would like to recognize the members of the Nominating Committee: Gayle Box, Debby Edelen, Ann Miller, Ron Mobley, Vickie Duff, Linda Reeves, Ann Richmond, Julie Ross and Sarah Sandknop for their dedication and commitment throughout this arduous process. Even though our search is just commencing, they have already devoted many hours of work and training toward our effort, and there will be much more in the future. Also, as we progress, it is important that every parishioner know these names so that questions can be answered swiftly and that ideas and suggestions can be channeled direct to the committee.
Again, many, many thanks to all of you!
Ned Meekins
12/1/2010 Interim Process Update from Fr. David
Holy Conversations
Thank you for your participation in the first two Holy Conversations. The attendance has been excellent. These conversations continue in December, with Holy Conversations numbers three and four.
Wednesday, December 1, 6 p.m. -
Holy Conversation #3: “When my safe place changes: looking across the bridge to God’s future for….”
This session deals with how participants have experienced change in the past, particularly in their parish, before turning to visioning for the future, and having an opportunity to express wishes, hopes and dreams, and things they specifically and individually are willing to do to make those hopes and dreams come true.
Wednesday, December 8, 6 p.m. -
Holy Conversation #4: “The way I connect with God; the way others connect with God”
Utilizing The Rev. Urban T. Holmes’s concept of four spiritualities--Head Spirituality, Heart Spirituality, Mystic Spirituality and Kingdom Spirituality, we will engage in exercises that clarify each participant’s primary ways of connecting with God and how those differing spiritual experiences impact the life of the parish.
10/25/2010 - Holy Conversation Sign ups
We are now taking reservations for the Holy Conversations. Sign up for 1 night or all!
We will have food, childcare and help from diocine leaders. Your participation is very important. See you there!
Contact any of our nominating committe for more information - back row: Debbie Edelen; Ron Mobley; Ann Miller; Julie Ross; Ned Meekins; front row: Sarah Sandknop; Linda Reeves; Gayle Box; Ann Richmond; and Vickie Duff (not pictured)
11/1/2010 Interim Process Update from Fr. David
Holy Conversations
A diocesan team will be with us on the dates listed below to lead St. Johns’ in four Holy Conversations. These conversations will provide invaluable self-study information to our Nominating Committee as they prepare to receive names and engage in the search for a rector for St. Johns.
You will be invited by the Nominating Committee to attend all four of these events. Please make attending a high priority. What you have to share will be crucial to the success of these conversations.
Because the meeting time is early, a light supper will be provided. The four conversations’ dates and themes are (Note that the second conversation in on a Tuesday, not a Wednesday):
Wednesday, November 10, 6 PM - Holy Conversation #1: “The Things I Value…”
The team leader introduces the idea of being people of The Story—Table groups answer questions regarding the experiences that have been most important to them in their parish, including contributions they have made to the parish.
Tuesday, November 16, 6 PM - Holy Conversation #2: “When I Have Been Hurt, Disappointed or Angry …”
Following a brief presentation about hurts, disappointments, and grief, table groups engage in an exercise and report to the larger group. Then, everyone moves to the sanctuary for the Liturgy of Healing and Reconciliation, led by Bishop Sauls.
Wednesday, December 1, 6 PM - Holy Conversation #3: “When my safe place changes: looking across the bridge to God’s future for….”
This session deals with how participants have experienced change in the past, particularly in their parish, before turning to visioning for the future, and having an opportunity to express wishes, hopes and dreams, and things they specifically and individually are willing to do to make those hopes and dreams come true.
Wednesday, December 8, 6 PM - Holy Conversation #4: “The way I connect with God; the way others connect with God”
Utilizing The Rev. Urban T. Holmes’s concept of four spiritualities--Head Spirituality, Heart Spirituality, Mystic Spirituality and Kingdom Spirituality, we will engage in exercises that clarify each participant’s primary ways of connecting with God and how those differing spiritual experiences impact the life of the parish.
10/7/2010 - Interim Process Update from Senior Warden
Friends,
Our revised schedule for the Holy Conversations part of our search process is now set:
Holy Conversation 1 Wednesday November 10
Holy Conversation 2 Tuesday November 16
Holy Conversation 3 Wednesday December 1
Holy Conversation 4 Wednesday December 8
These will all be evening meetings at 6:00.
The Wednesday sessions will follow the Holy Eucharist & Unction Service.
We very much regret having to postpone these important self study meetings due to our consultant’s unfortunate accident.
Dr. Kay Collier McLaughlin is now on the mend from her broken arm, and we will make up for lost time.
Your Nominating Committee (Search Committee in former terminology) will have its formation retreat on Saturday October 23.
Please put the Holy Conversations on your calendar.
Everyone at St. John’s is equally important to this process whether you have been a member all your life or just started coming.
Participation in these meetings is vitally important to discovering who we are as a community in 2010, what our priorities are, and what skills and talents we need in our next Rector.
Love in Christ,
Ann Richmond
Sr. Warden
10/1/2010 - An update on scheduling
The Holy Conversations scheduled for the last two Wednesdays in October may have to be rescheduled. The Nominating Committee gives leadership to that process, and the retreat scheduled for September 18 had to be postponed. Dr. Kay Collier McLaughlin, Bishop’s Deputy for Communications, Leadership Development, and Transition Ministries, was to lead the retreat but suffered a broken right arm late on the Friday before.
Watch for email announcements regarding the Holy Conversations scheduled for October 20 and 27
9/12/2010 - Nominating Committe Selected
The Nominating Committee has been formed and includes the following people:
Ann Miller; Gayle Box; Debbie Edelen; Julie Ross; Linda Reeves; Ron Meekins; Ron Mobley; Sarah Sandknop; Vickie Duff; and Ann Richmond.
9/2/2010 Interim Process Update by Fr. David Perkins
We are anticipating the beginning of a series of Holy Conversations led by a diocesan team. These conversations are intended to lead St. John’s farther along in accomplishing the developmental tasks of the interim period and preparing for the initiation of the search process.
The dates, times, and themes of the Holy Conversations are:
Wednesday, October 20th., 6 PM - Holy Conversation #1: “The Things I Value…”
Wednesday, October 27th., 6 PM - Holy Conversation #2: “When I Have Been Hurt, Disappointed or Angry …”
Wednesday, November 3rd., 6 PM - Holy Conversation #3: “When my safe place changes: looking across the bridge to God’s future for….”
Wednesday, November 10th., - 6 PM - Holy Conversation #4: “The way I connect with God; the way others connect with God”
8/1/2010 Interim Process Update by Fr. David Perkins
How can I put this? I expect you . . . , I want you. . . , I encourage you . . . to attend the joint service on Sunday, August 1 and remain for the covered dish lunch and the historical time line? All of the above. Is it too daring to say that, as your priest, I count on you and expect you to participate in something this important?
Ann Richmond, senior warden, and I have requested an appointment with Bishop Sauls and Dr. Kay Collier-McLaughlin to discuss the process for appointing a nominating committee and to set dates for the Holy Conversations this fall and winter.
Meanwhile, we’re nearing the beginning of the new school year and our return to a more “normal” life routine. (My son says normal is a setting on the washer.) Stay tuned for more on the historical time line and Holy Conversations.
Peace,
David Perkins, Interim Rector
8/2/2010 Nominating Committee Application
Friends
Download the application to be considered for the Nominating Committee (which used to be called the Search Committee).
As you consider this service to our community of faith, please also prayerfully consider if you might run for Vestry.
We will need 6 candidates for Vestry, 3 of whom will be elected at our November meeting.
You cannot serve on both bodies. Vestry is a 3 year commitment while Nominating committee is a much shorter time period but more intensive.
These are both very important ways to serve St. John’s, as the Nominating Committee will do all the initial work of our Rector search, but the 2011 Vestry will make the final decision on the candidate.
Please feel free to call me and discuss any questions you may have.
Ann Richmond
Senior Warden
859-492-4389
7/1/2010 Interim Process Update by Fr. David Perkins
You might remember this description of the interim period from my initial letter to you in April – “the period between the what was and the what will be.” Early on this period may resemble a quiet pond on a still day—not much happening, but to the minnows swimming below the surface a lot is happening. To mention a few--meetings with lay leaders to strengthen their ministries, meetings every two weeks with staff, strengthening ministries (youth and newcomers at this early juncture).
The first two activities of a more public nature will take place this summer. After some training in oral history gathering, some of St. John’s youth will be doing video interviews with those who have been members at St. John’s the longest, recording their stories about St. John’s. That oral history will be made available to you on DVD.
Second, on August 1st., after the joint outdoor service, we will have lunch in the parish hall and do an historical timeline. Members will place themselves on that timeline on newsprint, sharing when they became part of the parish and what was happening in the parish and in the world at that time.
St. John’s has changed dramatically over the past six years, and this timeline will be an exciting way for us all to become more aware of some of those changes.
These events will help prepare us for the appointment of a nominating committee later in the year and the beginning of Holy Conversations. More on all that later.
6/1/2010 Update by Fr. David Perkins
I wanted you to know something about the next steps in the interim process. Some of the first steps already have begun: my getting to know the leader-ship and church processes; first steps in strength-ening staff and congregational leadership and pro-grams; and beginning to understand the church‘s history.
In June, Dr. Kay Collier-McLaughlin, Deputy for Leadership Development (including the Officer of Transition Ministry), will meet with the vestry and overview the interim period and the search process.
This summer we will engage in an exercise designed to enrich the church‘s understanding of its history with its latest chapter under Fr. Sutherland having been added. Once we‘ve completed that exercise as a congregation, Dr. Collier McLaughlin, who is also the Diocesan Consultant guiding congregations through the entire process of the interim and nomination processes, will return in the fall and lead us in the first in a series of four Holy Conversations.
Feel free to email me at fr.david.perkins@stjohnsky.com if you have questions.
5/1/2010 - Interim Rector Open Door Hours in May
David Perkins, our interim rector, will be in the office with the door open each Monday and Tuesday in May (except Monday, May 10, a quiet day). You are free to come by without an appointment for coffee and conversation. Obviously, we can close the door for privacy if need be.
Also, David will keep the lunch times and evening times open on those two days each week in May for lunch or after work coffee or dinner. Feel free to call or email him and invite him.
4/1/2010 - A letter from our David Perkins, our Interim Rector.
Dear St. John’s Family,
I am grateful to your vestry for their confidence extended in calling me to serve as your interim rector. And, I am excited about joining with you, getting to know you, and sharing in Christ’s mission for St. John’s with you.
The loss of your priest must feel disquieting. Having been here a bit more than eight years and having served as start up priest, I’m the only clergy All Souls has known. And, the bond we share has grown deep and strong. Watching them weather the initial shock of my announcement put me in mind of you and what your priest’s departure must have felt like.
Prior to becoming the planter for this new church, I was serving as intentional interim in The Diocese of Atlanta and was considering devoting myself to that ministry. But, the call to plant the church in Virginia was God’s path at that point.
Someone has named the interim period with this phrase—“between the what was and the what will be.” Your church has a vital mission that must continue during this time. And, the interim gives us an opportunity to complete tasks remaining and to point toward the future. We can come to understand better the “what was” of your recent past. And, we can begin living into the “what will be” of your future. This won’t be a time of inactivity. Worship continues. Pastoral care, reaching new people with the message of Christ, and visioning and planning for the future go on.
Thank you for your patience in giving me until the last week of April to begin. The transition to an interim here will be uniquely challenging; they’ve never been without a priest or had to engage in a search. And, I didn’t want to leave them before Easter or right afterwards.
We will be seeking to make St. John’s a stronger parish than you already are and to make the transition to a new rector as smooth as possible. Please know that you will live in my prayers each day.
Peace,
David Perkins, Vicar
4/1/2010 - Daily devotional posted by our new Interim Rector
David posts a daily devotional based on the Daily Office Lectionary readings in the Book of Common Prayer. You can subscribe (free) by registering with Yahoo and going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/episcopaloffice.
2/26/2010 - We have an Interim Rector!!
We have an Interim Rector and his name is David Perkins. We prayerfully believe that he is God’s choice for us at this time. His first sermon will be May 2.
Call any Vestry member or me if you have any questions. This is an event for rejoicing and moving forward!
David was born in Oakdale, Louisiana, on the edge of the Acadian, bilingual French/English culture of south Louisiana, the first-born son of Bill and Ruth. He grew up in a Baptist family and responded to a call to ministry during high school—paying for his senior ring with pulpit supply money.
He graduated from The University of Louisiana at Monroe with a BA in biology and from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters and a Doctorate degree in New Testament studies. The interface between the Bible and literature always has fascinated him and he did extensive post-doctoral study in comparative literature at Emory University and at LSU. He found his way into the ordination process and did Anglican studies at The School of Theology at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. He is still pecking away on a thesis for an STM in Anglican Studies. He has most recently served as start up priest and vicar at All Souls Episcopal Church, Atlee (Hanover County, north metro Richmond) since February 2002. All Souls is a new congregation that began public worship in November 2003 under the sponsorship of the churches of Region 11 of the Diocese of Virginia.
He has two ‘awesome’ children, Ben, who lives in Flagstaff, AZ with his wife, Jennifer and Katie Glaeser who lives in Georgia with her husband John and their two children Aeden and Jonas.
David finds life-giving energy in hiking, fly fishing, camping, cooking, reading, and writing. He ‘dabbles’ at writing poetry and reflective and devotional nonfiction and for the past several years, has written daily devotionals based on the Daily Office readings for a Yahoo group.
See his full biography.
2/1/2010 - Our Search Begins by Senior Warden Ann Richmond
This is an exciting time in the life of St. John’s! Although we have said goodbye to our wonderful Rector, we are an energetic, loving, forward-looking community of faithful people. We will continue to grow in love and service with God’s help.
I can’t help but think about the contrast between who St. John’s is now in January 2010 and who St. John’s was in January 2004. It was a dark and cold time that January 2004 when about 40 of us were left at St. John’s, the rest having gone to form their own church in part over the Episcopal Church’s position on the inclusion of gay and lesbian people. But we were far from despairing! We had a very clear choice: inclusion or exclusion? Love or judgement? St. John’s became very intentional about inclusion and love, about doing the work we saw needed around us, to welcome all people of whatever kind or condition to worship with us and be part of our community of faith.
As the years have passed, many people have come to be a part of St. John’s. The remnant 40 have become hundreds. Our mailing list for this newsletter grows every month and is currently 352. People have come I think because they truly feel welcome. That is something we must be intentional about every day. Welcome. That is why this year we have a Vestry assignment for Newcomers/Membership. Carol Filson will lead that ministry.
In this period without a Rector, as your Vestry searches for an Interim Rector, life at St. John’s may feel a bit different. It may feel a bit empty. It is important that we think about the person next to us at worship or breakfast and ask ourselves if that person feels welcomed and loved and a part of the life of our parish. Next, ask yourself what you can do to be sure that that is so. Then do it.
I am honored to be your Senior Warden. I’ll try to send weekly updates to the parish email list (If you aren’t on it, email Elaine at memsecy@aol.com and she’ll add you.), about how the search is going and other things. We all have a lot of work to do in our various ministries.
Everyone can help:
Love one another.
Say your prayers.
Pray for your Vestry, the search process, and our community of faith at St. John’s.