top of page

Rector Search

Finding Our New Rector: The Search Process and the Discernment Committee
Click Here to view the Parish Profile, available as a PDF document

​

June 30 UPDATE
On Sunday, June 29, the Discernment Committee and about 25 parishioners held our first Holy Conversation at the Valle Crucis Conference Center Dining Hall after the 11:00 AM church service. Holy Conversations are small-group sessions designed to bring together Holy Cross folks to talk about what is important to them and to our church as we look for a new rector and plan for our future together. On the 29 th , we met first for a lovely meal (thank you VCCC!), then had a brief whole-group meeting for an introduction to the Holy Conversation process. After that, we divided ourselves into small groups and discussed three questions centered around what kind of church we are and want to be. (Each Holy Conversation uses the same questions so that the Discernment Committee hears answers to a common set of questions.) The group then met back together and heard all the comments that were made in order to tease out out some common threads. The common concerns will help the Discernment Committee to write the church profile that will inform applicants for the job of Rector about what Holy Cross is “about” and what we hope for the future.


At least one more Holy Conversation was held on Sunday, July 13, also after the 11:00 service and at the Valle Crucis Conference Center. If need be, we’ll plan on offering one on a Wednesday night or Saturday morning, if one of those times would be more convenient than a Sunday afternoon meeting.


May 11 UPDATE
Our CAT (Congregational Assessment Took) is now in the hands of the company that provided it. Members of the Discernment Committee and Vestry will get the results of the survey along with a professional interpretation on May 15. A summary will be provided to the congregation soon thereafter. The results of the survey will help the Discernment Committee structure the “Holy Conversations” to be held in June. These small groups will discuss issues important to choosing our next rector. Everyone is invited to participate in this part of the discernment process!

​​

Journey Through Transition.jpg

We Are Here

The Discernment Process
 

The work of the Discernment Committee, according to Guidelines for Calling a Rector: Leadership Transitions in The Diocese of Western North Carolina, is to “do the homework necessary to prepare the way for a successful transition to the new rector.” This group, commissioned by our Vestry on February 9, 2025, is charged to:

​

  1. Plan and implement various mechanisms for the parish self-study.

  2. Develop an OTM (Office of Transitions Ministry) Portfolio and Parish Profile, which will describe both the congregation as well as the special responsibilities and particular skills required of the next rector.

  3. Screen and evaluate candidates for rector.

  4. Keep the congregation informed about the progress of the search through the newsletter, announcements in church, etc.

  5. Recommend to the Vestry a specified number of candidates, each of whom could potentially b the next rector.

 

The members of the Discernment Committee for The Church of the Holy Cross are:

  • John Goodrich

  • Dawn Harris

  • Sis Kinney

  • Jim Logan

  • Margaret Love

  • Randy McDonough

  • Mary Pietan

  • Jane Blackburn, Chair


The major tasks of the Discernment Committee are to set up, administer, and interpret a survey for the congregation with the help of Holy Cow Consulting, Inc.; to plan and implement “Holy Conversations” (parish-wide small group gatherings); to create a Parish Profile, which describes numerous aspects of our parish as well as what the parish hopes for in their next rector; to prayerfully consider the applications for the position which have been vetted by the bishop’s office in order to choose likely candidates to interview; to develop a list of questions for the candidates; to interview candidates; and to present to the Vestry the final slate of candidates.


This process may take 12 months or more to complete. The Discernment Committee will update the congregation regularly, and we invite your questions at any time!

bottom of page