Transition Update 9/4
Shared Clergy Discernment Committee
A Collaborative of Lay Leaders (CLL) from St Ann’s and FLC have agreed to form a Shared Discernment Committee consisting of 8 members, 4 from each congregation. This was a prayerful evolution of thinking on the part of St Ann’s Lay Leaders, led by the Bishop and Suzanne. As we came to see the called clergy would be St Ann’s AND FLCs primary rector/pastor, it helped us understand the difference between the financial and pastoral relationships of our two churches.
It’s expected that the 8 members chosen to comprise the Shared Discernment Committee will be selected from the following demographics:
- a member from each congregation’s governing body (Ann’s vestry & FLC’s council)
- a parent of teens
- a parent of young children
- a single person in their 20’s
- a LGBT person or affiliate
- a retiree
- an active committee member
Points to consider before nominating people for the Shared Discernment Committee:
- Availability: The Committee will meet frequently over a period of many months. Committee members must be able to participate in those meetings.
- Skills: Committee members must be able to organize and keep track of large amounts of information, must be able to express, listen to and evaluate divergent viewpoints, and must be able to communicate effectively.
- Discretion: The Committee will learn information about candidates that is strictly and absolutely confidential. Revealing confidential information such as the names of candidates who have applied for the position violates both the trust of candidates and the integrity of the process.
You are encouraged to submit nominations for the Shared Discernment Committee to Patty Bruce or Dori Madsen by September 18th.
The CLL will review all nominees in late September, select the 8 we believe are best suited to this work and send out invitations.
Once the committee is formed, the CLL will outline its objectives, and its members will be commissioned for this important ministry at a Sunday service.
Please continue to pray the Holy Spirit guide all our decisions and direct our efforts, so we move forward aligned with God’s plan for us.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT FR STEVE OUR LONG TERM SUPPLY PRIEST
Rev Steve Fales was ordained in 1978 when he was 26 years old. He has served in a handful of Episcopal churches. He spent significant years in a large parish near Indianapolis. In November 2021, after his wife survived lots of treatments for colon cancer, within 10 days of their move to Maine, she died suddenly of an aneurysm.
More recently, Steve’s spent 14 months in Sanford at St George’s. He lives in Saco and doesn’t see the commute as problematic – expects to cancel services like we would expect for driving concerns. He has 2 daughters and 3 grandsons.
At St George’s, Steve has been working 15 hours/week, in the office on Wednesdays. This part time arrangement has been exactly enough to keep Steve engaged, but still feel retired. His Letter of Agreement (LOA) with St George’s was set up by Suzanne Roberts: $20,000 plus mileage for 12 months. He’s on Medicare and drawing from his pension now, so no benefits to add. Hiring Steve at this same rate represents a significant savings to St Ann’s and will help to offset any costs associated with the search for a permanent rector.
Other things to know about Steve:
Strong extravert who likes to build relationships when people are not in crisis.
Doesn’t need to worship with Rite 1
Averages 10-12 minute sermons – his services run 60-70 minutes
Can’t start until August and has travel plans in October
Doesn’t have a lot of his own vestments
Expects to perform weddings and funerals as needs arise
Expects to provide pastoral care for hospitalized parishioners as needed
Would plan to be on site at St Ann’s on Wednesdays
Agrees to have Lisle continue with Morning Prayer on 4th Sundays
Knows Lisle will assist with pastoral care when she can
He will lead us in worship for the next 12 months.
He’ll work 15 hours/week.
He’ll serve all Sundays except the 4th Sunday when Lisle leads us in Morning Prayer.
He’ll provide emergency pastoral support to our parishioners.
Steve will attend all vestry meetings.
He will also be available in the office on Wednesdays to meet with parishioners as needed.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFO FOR THE ENTIRE TRANSITION CAN BE FOUND IN THE NOTEBOOK IN THE UNDERCROFT!