St. Paul's Rector Search Committee Update

As you may have noticed from the recent display in St. Andrew's Chapel, the rector search committee has completed the parish profile. The profile is the compilation of months of work by the parish and a wealth of input from many parishioners. The search committee also has completed the job description for the new rector. It has been approved by the vestry and sent to Canon Pamela Snare at the diocesan office to be submitted to the Episcopal church's national computer database of open positions. The position also will be advertised in appropriate national publications.

One of the most critical parts of the search process at this point is maintaining confidentiality about potential rector candidates. One of the things that can get overlooked as we anticipate a new person joining us is that the people who will be candidates in this process are probably serving in parishes where they are treasured spiritual leaders, and only one of those candidates will become our rector. Maintaining confidentiality honors the candidates and respects the parishes they are serving now.

During this part of the search process, the search committee also expects to receive some referrals for potential rector candidates from parishioners. We want to honor each referral, ensure that the referral is serious and contains sufficient information to support further consideration by the committee, and maintain a record of the referral until it can be used in the search process. In addition, Father Randy Dunnavant of Church of the Good Shepherd, who is assisting the search committee, will receive a copy of each referral.

Again, the need for confidentiality in the referral process is vital to avoid embarrassing a potential candidate if word got back to his or her home parish about a referral of which he or she may be unaware. We must always think of the candidate's needs as well as ours.

A confidential recommendation form has been designed by the search committee to assist anyone who would like to refer a potential candidate. The forms can be found in an envelope on the search committee bulletin board in the parish hall on the far side of the fireplace. You also can download the form online from the rector search page on the church's website. The forms should be completely filled out and given to the search committee chairman Newton Molloy. You can mail completed forms to him at 2226 Northwoods Drive, Murfreesboro, TN 37130.

The search committee cherishes your continued prayers as we begin identifying and evaluating potential rector candidates.