Parish Meeting with PowerPoint from June 1
St. Mark’s Celebrates A Milestone
(see below for PowerPoint)
We have arrived at an important milestone in the life of our parish. After eighteen months of a search process, we have called the Rev. Peter Walsh to be the 22nd Rector of St. Mark’s and he has accepted that call. The Search Committee and Vestry wholeheartedly and unanimously believe that we have been guided by the Holy Spirit in making this call, and that Peter will be an outstanding clergy leader for our parish.
During our interim period, we have used our Roadmap of Transition and Transformation to evaluate our strengths and weaknesses, made great strides in addressing some of the systemic issues which undermined our potential for vitality and growth, and begun to put into action some of the goals that we have outlined for ourselves. Those goals can be articulated as follows:
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Growing our Spiritual Intimacy and Discipleship within each of us, our communion and the larger community§
Preaching and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ§
Growing our congregation especially with younger families§
Reinvesting and reenergizing our education and youth offerings§
Inspiring our clergy and lay leadership as we evolve to a Program / Corporate Church model§
Placing and maintaining the Parish on a secure financial footing§
Orienting our outreach to a mission model in both outlook and practice§
Becoming a vibrant and exciting center of Christian Faith in New CanaanIn our Parish Profile, the Search Committee outlined the characteristics of the clergy leader whom we hoped to call, someone who would be able to lead us towards our greater potential as we continued to pursue these goals. Peter’s background, knowledge, and abilities are an extraordinary match to that profile on every front. He has solid experience in dealing with parishes which are similar to St. Mark’s in size and complexity, and has demonstrated skills in church growth, preaching and administration. Peter’s Personal Ministry Statement says, "I feel called to lead others to a deeper life in Christ, a more holy communion with one another, and a greater love for the world."
He has been described as being particularly skilled at attracting families with children and has stated clearly that he is passionate about teaching and Christian formation. We have been touched by Peter’s warm engaging manner and pastoral presence. He and his wife, Jennifer, who have five children ranging from 6-19 years of age and are familiar and comfortable with the busy family-centered life style that characterizes New Canaan.
The search process that has brought us to this milestone was a process of discernment which required from our Search Committee members not just a dedication of time, energy and talent, but also a deep personal commitment of the heart and soul. In times of disappointment and frustration, they demonstrated tremendous courage, faith and patience as they persevered, trusting in God’s guidance.
The Search Committee who devoted themselves to this process for a year and a half and the Vestries who worked with them during parts of the journey have given St. Mark’s an outstanding example of Christian Community in action. In a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect, they challenged each other and supported each other in the best possible way, always keeping in front of them the mission to serve God and their parish. We give thanks for their devoted service.
A rousing "Thank you!" also needs to be said to the families of Search Committee members and vestry members who held down the fort, dealt gracefully with absences and in countless ways offered the support that made it possible for the committee members to participate in this process.
We are also grateful for the support of our diocesan consultant, Gail Leibert, Erik Larsen, Canon for Transition Ministry, and Jack Spaeth, Canon for Stewardship and Administration, who made themselves accessible at some very random hours and were always a source of great wisdom and experience. While the search has progressed we have continued to enjoy a full and vibrant parish life. We thank David Rider, Carol Hoidra, Anne Richards and all of the church staff for the hard work, leadership and organization that made it possible.
We have called the rector whom we hoped to call, someone who understands the road we have traveled and has the knowledge, character, and ability to lead us toward new heights in knowing and following our God. We need to pause to celebrate and appreciate this wonderful milestone. Clearly this is a time of joyful expectation. However, as we continue on our journey, let’s remind ourselves that calling a new leader does not mean that it is time for us to take seats in the bleachers and start filling out our score cards. Instead it is time to recommit ourselves to being the Body of Christ as we strive to serve the Lord and pursue our mutual ministry together with our new rector. We have asked for a leader who will love us but also challenge us to stretch and grow. That cannot happen if we remain on the sidelines or build defenses around the status quo.
When the Walsh family arrives in New Canaan, let’s greet them with warm and gracious hospitality and welcome our new clergy leader with open minds and a willingness to go forward in a spirit of communion to seek and fulfill God’s will for us.
Yours in Christ,
Katie Roach, Sr. Warden Steve Wyckoff, Jr. Warden Brandon Sweitzer, Search Committee Co-chair Cynnie Thunem, Search Committee Co-chair
