December 29 Transition Update

This is your Vestry’s final update for 2023 and my last as your Senior Warden. Beginning January 1, George Douglas will be Nativity’s Senior Warden, and Dave McKinnon the Junior Warden. I know I speak for Bill Sena, the 2022–23 Junior Warden, and Anne Krouse, the other Vestry member rotating off the end of this year, when I say what a privilege it has been to serve you and the Nativity community as wardens and vestry members. Thank you for your support and trust in us.

The Vestry would also like to extend a huge thank you to our wonderful staff who have worked extraordinarily hard since October 29. We are especially grateful for their providing the beautiful services throughout the week leading up to Christmas — starting with the Service of Lament and ending with the Advent IV Service and three Christmas Eve services on December 24. The choir as usually, set the atmosphere for Christmas Eve, and the amazing duet by Helen Moses and Jo-Mari Burgess was breath-taking. 

January 1 also marks the beginning of The Rev. Stephanie Yancy and The Rev. Dr. Cathy Deats’ service as Co-interim Rectors. We are in good hands with the leadership of the Vestry and of these two wonderful and dedicated priests. In their letter to the Vestry, they stated that Rev. Stephanie will work 3/4 time and Rev. Cathy 1/4 time. Stephanie will be in the office at least two days during the week and most Sundays; Cathy will be in the office one day per week and preach one Sunday a month. Rev. Stephanie will cover the other Sundays, along with Rev. Phillip. Others within the congregation will still have opportunities to preach, as has been our practice. Rev. Stephanie plans to attend all vestry meetings, pastoral support meetings, and staff meetings, while Rev. Cathy plans to attend all staff meetings and pastoral support meetings. Both will make themselves available for other meetings and any pastoral needs of the congregation.

A very important part of their ministry is to lead us through the tasks recommended for congregations experiencing a change in leadership. Those tasks include exploring our history and its effect on who we are today, creating opportunities for new leadership within the congregation, and exploring possible new directions in ministry. The goal is to prepare the Nativity congregation to welcome a new Rector and to thrive as we work alongside the person God is preparing to lead us.

— Beth Crow, Senior Warden