Greetings, Holy Cross family. My name is Sharon, and I’d like to give you a transition
update on behalf of your vestry.
As Michael McAllister let you know in his update on November 8, the search committee has been hard at work for several months now. They conducted a survey of the parish, developed a profile of the church, and had the diocese post the position for Holy Cross’s next rector. Then, applications came through the diocesan office and to the search
committee.
As Michael also said, the search committee has conducted several interviews and has now gone through the full list of candidates who have applied. At this time, we have not made a call for a new rector. However, our work continues.
This coming Monday, the vestry will be meeting with Canon d'Rue Hazel, our diocesan officer for transitional ministry, to map out our next steps as we move closer to Father Mike’s retirement. Going into the new year, please know that the doors of Holy Cross will still be open, and we will be working on scheduling a supply priest to assist Erin on Sunday mornings. Please continue to pray for this important transitional period. I know it’s a challenging time for all of us.
At this point in our journey together, I would ask that each of you keep one thing in
mind: This is our church. We are still Holy Cross—regardless of who is in the pulpit. It’s time for us to show up, time for us to worship together, time for us to reconnect and rebuild and reimagine what we want Holy Cross to be—today, tomorrow, and in the months and years ahead.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it: reinventing ourselves in the wake of a long-term rectorate is going to be hard work. But I know we can do it—if each of us is willing to share our unique gifts and talents.
I know that fear of the unknown can be paralyzing, but I also know that if we are willing to lean in rather than step out or sit back, deep and powerful work can happen. God is ready to work through each and every one of us; we just have to say yes to the call. We are called to be God with skin on at Holy Cross; it’s not just about who our rector is. It’s about who we the lay people are and who we are willing to become.
I invite each of you to join us in this pivotal moment in the life of Holy Cross. Please
know that the vestry and the search committee will continue to communicate with you as soon as updates are available. I welcome your input and would love to hear from you at any time.
Have a great week, and I hope to see you at Holy Cross on Sunday morning.
Sharon James
Holy Cross Warden
