Clergy Transition 2023–24

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a rector for this parish that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

— Book of Common Prayer, pg. 818

On this page you can find the latest about the clergy transition which began in October 2023 following the departure of The Rev. Stephanie Allen. If you have a question for the Search Committee, you can submit it through this Google Form.

Parish Portfolio

Rector candidates can find the Nativity Parish Portfolio here.

Projected Timeline

Note: The dates on this timeline are only intended as a rough guideline, and are subject to change.

✔️ Rector announces departure. 
✔️Vestry meets with Bishop Sam Rodman and Canon Catherine Massey to review transition process. 
✔️Vestry selects search style, with advice from Bishop Rodman. 
✔️Vestry forms Search Committee. 
✔️Search Committee meets with Canon Massey to review next steps. 
✔️Search Committee decides to gather data needed for writing and completing the Parish Portfolio (a/k/a Parish OTM Portfolio) via a congregational meeting along with an online survey for those unable to attend. 
✔️ Congregational Meeting to gather data for the Parish Portfolio is held on Sunday, February 4, 2024, at 10:30 am in Corlett Hall. Canon Massey facilitates. 
 ✔️Survey goes out to congregation immediately following February 4 Congregational Meeting. 
 ✔️Parish Portfolio is completed by Search Committee. (Projected Completion Date: Mid-March, 2024) 
 ✔️Parish Portfolio is posted on both the Diocese’s website and Nativity’s website. (Projected Completion Date: April, 2024) 
✔️ Search Committee meets with Canon Massey to review next steps in search process. 
 Search Committee conducts discernment conversations with priests. (Projected Completion Date: Late Spring/Early Summer 2024) 
 Search Committee asks Canon to conduct “pre-flight checks”. 
 Bishop Rodman interviews final three (3) candidates. 
 Search Committee recommends one (1) name to the Vestry. 
 Vestry conducts a discernment conversation with that priest. 
 Senior Warden phones Canon Massey/Bishop Rodman for verbal Permission to Call. 
 Vestry asks Canon Massey to initiate Secure Search Faith Background Check. 
 Vestry calls priest and negotiates Letter of Agreement with assistance of Canon Massey. 
 Vestry writes Bishop Rodman to request written Permission to Call. 
 New Rector, Senior Warden, Canon Massey and Bishop Rodman sign the Letter of Agreement. 
 The New Rector of Nativity is announced! 

Search Committee

  • Beth Crow, Chair
  • Morghan Bosch
  • Matt Dutton
  • Susan Edwards
  • Robert Joines
  • Anne Krouse
  • Allison Martin
  • Sarah O’Connor
  • Emily Phillips.

Latest Transition Post

  • April 25 Transition Update

    The Search Committee met on Wednesday, April 24, and continues to prepare interview questions and calendar potential dates for Zoom and in-person interviews of interested priests. Please continue to inform interested candidates that our Parish Portfolio is available, and we are receiving names until April 28, 2024.

    Next Steps:

    • April 28, 2024: Last day to receive names of interested priests.
    • Spring/Early Summer: Search Committee conducts discernment conversations with priests.
      • Zoom Interviews
      • In-Person Interviews

    Communication

    Need more details about the search process? More information can be found on Nativity’s Clergy Transition Page. Have a question for the Search Committee? Please ask it here.

All Transition Posts

Stephanie Allen’s Farewell

You can read about Stephanie Allen’s farewell in this blog post.