A Message From the Vestry:

More so than ever, the vestry remains committed to our covenant to the members of St. Anne. We will work to help you discern and articulate God’s will for this church. We will be good stewards and take care of this parish. We will communicate with you frequently and clearly so that everyone is informed about what’s going on in the life of our parish.

We know that the announcement of Father Gerry’s resignation brings lots of questions. Here are some questions that we have been asked during the past few days:

Why is Father Gerry leaving?

Father Gerry is answering a call to be the rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in The Woodlands, Texas. He has prayerfully discerned God’s call to him to go to Trinity.

Is there something wrong at St. Anne that would make Father Gerry want to go to a new parish?

Father Gerry is not leaving because of anything at St. Anne and in fact, he is very sad about his departure. His decision is based solely on his call to Trinity and his faith that God would not call him away from St. Anne unless God had a plan for us. Father Gerry believes that St. Anne is in a very good place right now and that we are a strong and faithful community.

Is Father Gerry leaving because of money? Could we offer him more money to stay?

Given the cost of living differences, Father Gerry’s compensation at Trinity will be comparable to his current compensation.

Is there anything that we can do to convince him to stay?

After months of discernment, Father Gerry is sure that God is calling him to Trinity and there is nothing that we can or should do to interfere with this call. Father Gerry knows how much we love him and would like him to stay at St. Anne.

What will happen after he leaves?

The vestry plans to hire an interim rector. This priest will agree to serve as rector for one year while we go through the process of searching for a new rector. Father George and Deacon Jennifer will conduct services and care for parishioners until the interim rector can join us.

What is the process for getting a new rector?

The vestry will meet with a representative of the diocese in mid-November to learn more about the search process. We will provide details about the steps in this process after Father Gerry’s departure.


Has the search committee been formed?

No, the search committee has not been formed. After the vestry has more information about the process of searching for a rector, we will announce timing for forming a search committee.

Can I serve on the search committee? Can I nominate people to serve on the search committee?

If you are interested in serving on the search committee or know someone you think would be qualified for service, please let a member of the vestry know. St. Anne is blessed with many parishioners who could offer valuable service to a search committee.

How long will this process take?

Based on the experience of other searches, we expect it to take about a year to find a new rector. However, it is possible that it could take up to 18 months.

Why so long to call a rector?

We want to find someone who is right for Saint Anne. We will not rush the process or take shortcuts. We are committed to finding God’s person and not just anyone. A deliberate and prayerful search process will mean finding a better rector.

What about the stewardship campaign for 2008?

In December, the vestry will share with the parish the plan for 2008. At that time, we will ask all members of the parish to consider their planned offerings for 2008.

What do we have planned to wish Father Gerry and his family well?

At present, we are talking to Father Gerry and Kay about what send-off they would like and also soliciting ideas from parishioners. Ideas received so far include a special worship service, a party or reception, and memory books. I hope to have a lot more details for you in the next week.

How can I help? What should I do?

In November, we want to focus on Father Gerry, Kay, Sarah, Jacob, Stephen, and Anna and celebrate all they have meant to our parish family over the past 18 years. Your participation is key. We will have more information about what you can specifically do to help with this celebration in the next week. In the meantime, we ask that you pray daily for our parish and for Father Gerry and his family as we begin this transition.

I have a question not answered here. Who should I ask?

If you have questions, suggestions, or concerns, please contact any member of the vestry: Ann Barrick, Mack Bridges, Jim Conaway, Judy Craig, Tom Cryer, Tony Drake, Ronald Hollingsworth, Ella Jordan, Cathy Judd, and Melanie Killian

More Questions and Answers from the Vestry:

How long has Father Gerry known that he is leaving? When did the vestry find out?

Father Gerry decided to accept the call one week before the parish received his letter. He let the wardens know a couple of days after he accepted the call and told the full vestry the day before his letter was delivered.

What is an interim rector?

An interim rector serves a parish while the members are preparing for and searching for a new permanent rector. Often an interim is specially trained to see parishes through the transition period between rectors. Interim rectors are recommended for parishes, like St. Anne, who have had the same rector for a long period of time. The interim rector is not eligible to be considered as a candidate for the permanent rector and will leave when the permanent rector is called.

Can Father George serve as our interim rector?

Father George can not serve as our interim rector because interim rectors leave the parish when a new rector is called. Father George wants to remain a retired priest who is a member of St. Anne. He will lead services for us until an interim as called and has offered to help in anyway that he can.

Will Kay be moving in December as well?

Kay has decided to finish out her teaching contract at Canterbury and will remain in the area until next May or June. She will be visiting Father Gerry in The Woodlands on weekends and so we will not see her every week.

What celebrations have been planned to acknowledge what Father Gerry, Kay, Sarah, Jacob, Stephen, and Anna have meant to us and to wish them all farewell?

On Sunday, November 25 from 12:30 to 2:30, there will be an ice cream social. All members of the parish are invited to attend this informal event and visit with the Sevick family.

On Thursday, November 29 at 7pm, Bishop Stanton will officiate a special service of leave taking at St. Anne. All parishioners are invited to attend this service. Following the service, there will be a cake and punch reception and a short presentation.

How can I get in touch with vestry members?

Look for us at Sunday services (we’ll be wearing name tags) or contact us by phone or email:
Ann Barrick 972-709-7334 abarrick@sbcglobal.net
Mack Bridges mbridges01@aol.com
Jim Conaway
Judy Craig
Tom Cryer
Tony Drake
Ronald Hollingsworth
Ella Jordan
Cathy Judd
Melanie Killian

More Questions and Answers from the Vestry:

What is the process that we will follow for finding a new rector?

The process, as outlined for the vestry by Canon Lambert on November 13, consists of the following steps:

1.The vestry will appoint a search committee and sets a search process budget. The vestry will also determine the compensation package for the new rector.

2.The search committee will be formed and with the vestry and the interim rector will meet with Canon Lambert to review the process.

3. The committee will lead the congregation through self-reflection and will develop a parish profile that states who we are as a parish, what our community is like, what our goals are, and what we are looking for in a new rector.

4. After the parish profile is reviewed by Bishop Stanton and approved by the vestry, Canon Lambert will initiate a search for names through the CDO office in New York.

5. The committee will receive names from the CDO search, the Bishop, and parish members. These names will be held in strictest confidence by the committee.

6. The committee will develop an initial screening packet that will be sent to all the candidates whose names were received. This packet will include the parish profile, an invitation to consider the position, request for resume & references and some questions.

7. Responses will be received and reviewed.

8. The committee will further screen candidates through interviewing them on the phone, reviewing sermon tapes, and contacting references. As candidates are eliminated, they will be informed of this.

9. The committee will identify the most promising 4 to 6 candidates. Background checks are conducted on these candidates. The committee will also arrange additional formal interviews, check additional references, and may visit the parish to hear the candidates preach.

10.The list will again be reduced and a final list of 2 to 3 names will be approved by the Bishop and then submitted to the vestry.

11. The vestry will interview the finalists and vote.

12. The vestry will ask the Bishop for consent to call the candidate who is chosen.

13. Once consent is given, the vestry will extend the call to the new rector.

14. If the candidate accepts the call, then a letter of agreement will be signed.

Who can be on the search committee? How will the vestry decide?

The search committee is open to active members age 16 and older. Some parishioners have expressed an interest in this committee to the vestry and others have been nominated by their peers. As St. Anne has many members with gifts and talents that will serve the search committee well, it will be difficult to choose 12 members for the committee. Please know that the vestry will choose this committee prayerfully and with careful consideration. We will be looking for committee members who have demonstrated commitment to our parish through regular attendance and participation in our parish life. We will seek to represent as many ministries and demographic groups as possible in the selection of committee members. We want to have members on the committee that have been at St. Anne for various lengths of time. Before being appointed, all persons will be asked if they will commit the sometimes rigorous meeting schedule that this committee will have.

What is the status on the interim rector?

We have requested a list of possible candidates from the diocese and hope to receive it soon. The vestry will make every effort to identify and hire an interim rector in December.

What will Deacon Jennifer's role be now that Father Gerry is gone?

Deacon Jennifer's role won't change substantially. As all deacons in the Diocese of Dallas, Deacon Jennifer is assigned by Bishop Stanton to a parish. In September, Bishop Stanton gave his consent for her to work at St. Anne part-time on our clergy staff. She will continue that role, assisting Father George and the interim rector with worship, pastoral care, teaching and preaching. She is also continuing the process for ordination to priesthood under the guidance of our vestry and her Parish Committee on Vocation.

What if I need pastoral care? Who should I call?

Before the interim rector is called, you may call the office Monday through Friday. Deacon Jennifer, Clayola, or a Stephen Minister will help you receive the care needed. The church’s number is 972-709-6091. If it is an emergency outside of office hours, you may call Father George at 972-325-1094.

Are we allowed to visit Father Gerry at his new church in The Woodlands?

Father Gerry will be spending the next 18-24 months getting to know his new parishioners. While he would like to see you, visiting with you would distract him from this focus. It is probably better to wait to visit him at Trinity until later.

Can Father Gerry come back to St. Anne for weddings and funerals or other events?

According to the vestry resource guide, visits by former rectors for wedding, baptisms, and funerals are not recommended. Former rectors are not allowed to visit without the prior knowledge and consent of the present rector and should do so only under special circumstances.

Will there be any change to the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services?

No, we will still have services at 6:00, 8:00, and 11:30 on Christmas Eve. The first service on Christmas Eve will be especially for the children of our parish. Lessons and carols will be at 10:30. We will have a service at 10:00 on Christmas morning.

Interim Rector

Last Thursday, the vestry agreed to call The Reverend Nancy Smalley as our interim rector. Mother Nancy feels called to work with congregations going through transition between rectors. In the diocese of Dallas, she served as an interim rector at Redeemer in Irving. She has also served as a regular supply priest at St. Martin in Lancaster. She was a curate at St. Lukeʼs in Dallas.

Mother Nancy will work full-time Sunday through Thursday. Her primary duties will be liturgy, pastoral care, and teaching. Her first day at St. Anne will be Wednesday, January 16. She is really looking forward to meeting and getting to know the parishioners of St. Anne.

Mother Nancy and her husband live in Waxahachie. When she is not serving a parish, she is a chaplain in the Civil Air Patrol.

Search Committee

During most of 2008, our parish will be searching for a new rector. St. Anne is blessed with many parishioners who love our church family and have gifts and talents that would help us in this search. It would be ideal if everyone who wanted to serve on the search committee could but that would be too large. Therefore, the vestry sought a to appoint a group of individuals that would be a blend of age, gender, life-stage, ministries, service attendance and years at St. Anne that would, as fully as possible, represent the our community. We also wanted individuals who are ready to commit to the long-term process and the hard work it will entail. We looked for individuals who will listen to God and others with open hearts and minds as they prayerfully discern Godʼs will. With those thoughts, the vestry has asked the following parishioners to lead our church in this search:

Susan Alexander, Bonnie Bishop, Mack Bridges, Roger Buehler, Ted Carrington, Adriana Elliott, Russell Harrison, Dianne Hawkins, Allison Killian, Marilyn Pyeatt, Janie Ripley, Dave Snell, and Rosemary Udell.

The search committee will begin their work soon and will provide the parish with regular reports on their progress.