The Deacon's View
Faith and the Search Process


In January St. Paul’s congregation entered into the unique faith journey called “interim time.”  It was then that we learned that our rector, Donna, would be retiring in early 2005, and that a search process for the new rector would begin.  During this time Donna will no longer be doing a lot of what she’s always done.  The Vestry would now be more in charge.
This month St. Paul’s will officially begin  the search process.  Although only seven parishioners will serve on the actual search team, every member of the congregation has a vital role to play.  The search process is intended to be a corporate journey of faith.  Depending on how well each of us handles our part, St. Paul’s will emerge at the conclusion either as a healthier and more deeply committed community of faith, or as a weaker, less effective body.
I have found it helpful to divide this long process into four “bite-size” steps, each with its own set of tasks and challenges.  I list below only the first step, because it covers what we need to focus on now.  (Later, I’ll write about the next three steps.)

Step One:  The congregation hears the news that the rector will be leaving.

TASK:  Everyone (rector and congregation) begins to assimilate in his/her own way what this really means.  This takes months and can include any or all of the stages of grief, including anger, denial and a sense of abandonment and loss.  Each person moves through this stage at his/her own pace and in their own way, which can make congregational life seem a bit disjointed.  The primary task for everyone during this time is to begin to let go of past ways of doing things.  Roles change.  The congregation has to take on new responsibilities for getting things done.  This can be confusing and discouraging if there is no allowance for things being done differently.  
CHALLENGES:  Letting go of control, expectations or hurt feelings when things don’t happen as before.  Interim time gives us an opportunity to trust God in new ways.
DAILY PRAYERS DURING STEP 1:  (from the Book of Common Prayer)
The Prayer of St. Francis, #62, p. 833
Prayer for the Parish, #11, p. 817

Almighty God, the wellspring of all wisdom, help us to see that the value of our journey is not in having attained the goal, but in the quality of the journey itself, and that we may be able to see your hand in every moment along the way, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
              ~The Rev. Gay Blundell, deacon