A Prayer For Times of Transition

God of Love,
You are with us in every transition and change.
As we enter into this new era with excitement and even some anxiety,
we recall your deep compassion, presence, and abounding love.
We thank you for the gifts, talents and skills with which you have blessed us.
We thank you for the experiences that have brought us to this moment.
We thank you for the work of others that gives breadth and depth to our own work.
Be with us as we move forward, rejoicing with you and supporting one another.
We ask this in your Holy Name.
- Joseph P. Shadle

Our Discernment Team:

Shirley Mensah and Jean Parker, Co-chairs; Denise Carpenter, Nancy Donohoo, Anita Donahou, Peter Fairchild, Scott Lunte, Karen Payne, Tyler Schwartz, Michael Stokes, Andrew Wasson, and Alisa Williams.  

The Vestry’s Charge to the Discernment Team:

The Discernment Committee is tasked with the following sacred duties:

• Seek God’s guidance with individual and corporate prayer, staying attuned to the movement of the

  Holy Spirit throughout the discernment process.

• Continue to participate in worship at Holy Communion. You have the prayers and support of your

  fellow parishioners as well as the staff and vestry, all of whom have a vested interest in your

  work.

• Be committed to the work involved. Be present at all meetings either in person or online.

• Allow plenty of time to listen deeply. Have an open mind and a willingness to sit in the tension of

  diverse opinions. Aim to work in harmony, navigating all differences with civil discourse, dignity,

  and respect.

• Have a discerning mind and a loving heart. Make decisions by keeping in mind what is best for

  the future of Holy Communion.

• Hold the committee’s work and discussions in strictest confidence.

• Keep the vestry informed on a regular basis through the vestry liaison.

• Gather information to describe Holy Communion including strengths, weaknesses, vision and

  mission honestly and accurately as reflected in its history, present life and our dreams for the future.

• Include the entire congregation, clergy and staff through surveys, meetings, small group discussions

  and one-on-one conversations.

• Reach out to neighbors and nearby institutions for their input.

• Develop a congregational profile to present the information you have gathered and detail our

  needs and ministry goals.

• Request assistance and support from the Diocese as needed.

• Based on your work discerning and creating the congregational portfolio, seek out candidates

  likely to be a good fit for Holy Communion.

• With support from the diocesan transition officer, identify qualified candidates eligible for consideration.

• Work together as a team to learn about the candidates and get to know them well. Using the tools

  and support available, discuss and contemplate the qualities of each candidate, what gifts they

  would bring and how they might contribute to God’s call to Holy Communion.

• Select the best candidate and present that person to the Vestry for approval.

On behalf of the congregation, the vestry commits our prayers, support and any participation you request

for the holy task you are about to undertake.