Rector Search

February 24, 2026 UPDATE

Dear Sisters and Brothers of Holy Cross:

Holy Cross Episcopal Church joyfully announces the calling of The Rev. Jonathan Chesney as its new Rector.

After a very thoughtful and prayerful search process, the Vestry and Discernment Committee are delighted to welcome The Rev. Jonathan Chesney to lead our parish into its next chapter of worship, service, and spiritual growth. Fr. Chesney brings a deep love for the Gospel, a heart for pastoral care, and a strong commitment to community engagement and discipleship.

Throughout his ministry, Fr. Chesney has demonstrated a passion for preaching, teaching, and building vibrant, Christ-centered congregations. His leadership reflects a collaborative spirit and a desire to nurture ministries that serve both the church and the wider community.

Fr. Chesney will be joining us from the parish of the Holy Communion in Memphis, TN where he serves as Senior Associate Rector.  A graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary, he has served in the Dioceses of Alabama, Chicago, and West Tennessee. Born in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains and long-involved in camp and conference center ministry, he shares a special love for community-oriented parish life in Appalachia, as well as our connections with the Valle Crucis Conference Center.

“We are excited about the gifts and vision Fr. Chesney brings to Holy Cross,” said parish leadership. “We look forward to growing together in faith, strengthening our ministries, and continuing to be a strong welcoming presence in our community.”

Fr. Chesney and his wife Alison (Ali) will join our Holy Cross family with their three children, Georgina (Georgi), Maisie, & Malcolm (their twins). Ali serves as a Garden Science teacher.  We will be blessed to have them living in our rectory for the years to come.

The Chesneys plan to join us on June 1, with Fr. Chesney’s first Sunday celebrating with us being June 7. Please make plans to join us. More details about his first Sunday and opportunities to greet them will be shared soon.

Please join us in warmly welcoming The Rev. Jonathan Chesney and his family and keeping them in your prayers as they begin their ministry with us.

Welcome Home to Holy Cross, Chesney family! We’re so glad you’re joining us!

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

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January 12, 2026 UPDATE

The Discernment Committee is happy to say that we have brought to the Vestry a short list of candidates for our Rector position. So now, everyone: pray for them and the discernment they need as they read, pray, consider, interview, discuss, pray, and pray some more, then for the discernment to issue a call if this is what the Spirit is leading them to do. This part of the discernment process will take some weeks, as there are many steps to carefully make and many things to carefully and prayerfully consider.
The Discernment Committee is grateful for your patience and for your prayers for over the past year. Please offer the same to the Vestry as they take this last important step for Holy Cross.

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June 30, 2025 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, 2025 UPDATE
Our CAT (Congregational Assessment Tool) 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!

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