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December 29, 2006

Interim Rector's Reflections

Dear friends,
As I write this article, the Vestry is in the process of interviewing the finalists for the position of Rector. By the time you read this, we may have news of who it is and when that person will arrive. Whatever the situation, I want you to know how much I have enjoyed my time as your interim rector.

A few words about being the interim rector: this is a specialized ministry. The role of the interim is to help the congregation through a time of transition, moving from a place of loss to a readiness to move forward with new leadership. We usually identify five developmental tasks for the interim period:
• Come to terms with history (The listening meetings, town hall meetings, and “telling our story”)

• Develop an identity that fits our current circumstances (Writing the profile)

• Develop and raise up new leadership (Vestry elections and new commission members)

• Renew denominational links (Work with diocesan staff during the process)

• Make a commitment to a new future (Openness to a new vision and the leadership of the new rector)

We have pretty much achieved these goals. We never get all the issues addressed...the perfect church hasn't been achieved, but in faith we continue to look honestly at ourselves and ask if we are doing God's work in a way that God would recognize it. Soon I will be moving on. I usually leave two Sundays before the new rector arrives, which gives the congregation a little breathing space between a big good-by and a big hello.

There is a book about interim ministers called Temporary Shepherds. I like the title; we are temporary shepherds. The reality is that all clergy are temporary shepherds. The life of the congregation is ongoing; clergy come and go. We are entrusted with your care for varying lengths of time. I am grateful for the time that I have been with you; you have enriched my ministry and my life. It is my great hope and prayer that you will thrive in this next part of life at Trinity Parish.

This new year will be an exciting time. Even in this last phase of transition, we have new opportunities for spiritual formation. For three evenings in January we will have meditations for Epiphany. On Sunday, January 28 we will have a psalm-writing workshop with Ray McGinnis. (See the opposite page for more information.) May the coming year be filled with wonder and grace!
Faithfully, Anne