June 27, 2011
As you know, Father Brad will retire October 2, 2011. The Vestry has been in transition planning since the announcement. The Profile Committee has completed their work under the awesome leadership of Kitty Crary. Mark Hendrickson has taken all your words, ideas, and pictures and created a beautiful document. The profile is basically a marketing tool for priests who might want to apply to work here. Yet, it is much more
– it is a living history of where we have been and testifies to the dynamic diversity and programs of the present and our visions for the future. As soon as the profile is reviewed by the Diocese copies will be available, both in print and on our website. You will be proud!
The Discernment Committee was commissioned June 5th. Nancy Whitehead is chair. Other members are Biff Baker, Kitty Crary, Carol Harvey, Len Hightower, Lamar Hill, Jean Hollingshead, Janet Hryniewicki, Janette Lange, Larry Reddel, Bill Turpit, and Leonora Will. We have decided to use the term “Discernment Committee” rather than “Search” as we believe God knows who our next rector will be and it will be the job of that committee and the Vestry to discern God’s choice for Messiah once we have received our list of candidates from the Diocese, probably in December or January.
The Vestry and Discernment Committee had a very productive weekend retreat in early June at which we studied the search process and envisioned our future. Bishop Diane Bruce joined us Friday night. Here are some comments from members of the Discernment Committee:
“The retreat was very fruitful in preparing us for this journey. I gained a new way of looking at what’s to come: That Father Brad fostered strong lay leadership in the parish, and led us to this point well-prepared. And that the interim [period] is a critical time of growth and discernment, where God will reveal to us new possibilities of who we can be in the future. I left the retreat believing in the process and filled with anticipation of the good things that lie ahead for Messiah.” –Janet Hryniewicki
“An awesome group who all have the best interest of Messiah and the entire congregation (both English and Spanish) in mind as we take this responsibility seriously and spiritually… We are honored to be chosen to participate in this discernment…and will focus on the mission of Messiah at all times as we move forward in the months ahead.” –Carol Harvey
“Our retreat was educational and inspirational. I left with a sense of confidence that we will go through this process with open minds and open hearts. God is calling Messiah to new and exciting possibilities.” –Leonora Will
During the time between Father Brad and a new rector, we will have an interim rector, Father Mark Stuart. We think you will find him warm, open, and flexible. Father Mark is just finishing an interim appointment to St Augustine’s by-the-Sea, Santa Monica. The senior warden there, Darrel Menthe, e-mailed us, “Glad to hear you're getting Father Mark. He's been a very non-anxious presence who has helped avoid division in the church. [With the Vestry’s unanimous choice of our permanent rector] we have all gone from being anxious to almost giddy with excitement at our new future.”
Your wardens went to St Augustine’s to hear Father Mark preach, see him with his congregation, and visit with him; the Vestry met with him and liked him; and Glenn Howard, your finance chair, and the wardens have worked out a contract with him. Father Mark will start October 3, 2011.
It is important that everyone understand the position of our interim.
- Father Mark Stuart will be at Messiah only during the transition. He will stay until we have chosen a permanent successor to Father Brad.
- Father Mark is an “intentional interim” whose calling is to help parishes stay stable, build lay leadership. and deal with grief after the departure of a beloved rector.
- As an intentional interim Father Mark will not be eligible for consideration as our permanent rector. He will be able to advise us on the relationship between the Diocese and a parish during the discernment process, but he will have no part in the actual search and will not even know the names of our candidates.
- His main functions will be liturgical and pastoral. He will be work closely with Carolyn Estrada at the noon service as well as at the 8 am and 10:15 am services. Father Mark has started learning the liturgy in Spanish and will be studying basic conversational Spanish. He has made it clear that he wants the Hispanic congregation to continue to feel an integral part of our parish.
- Father Mark will be commuting, sometimes by train, from his home in Hollywood but will keep regular office hours here and will be available for evening meetings and special functions.
Inevitably there will be changes, but with the stabilizing presence of an interim rector and the continued inspired ministry of Carolyn Estrada, our Associate Rector, Messiah’s going to be OK! There are exciting times ahead! Please continue to pray for Messiah’s future, and mark your calendar for the grand celebration of Father Brad’s 30-year ministry, which will be held at The Hacienda on October 2, 2011, following our services.
Yours in Christ,
Dee Tucker, Sr. Warden
Lorna Adkins, Jr. Warden
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