The first stage in any search process is to search ourselves. We will gather after each service today and using the appreciative inquiry process, we will tell each other stories. We need to hear from every member of the church in order to get an accurate picture of who we are and who we hope to be. Your input will form the basis of our parish profile which is the document we will use to recruit our next rector.

Forums will be no longer than 90 minutes. Bagels and coffee will be provided after the 7:45 and 9:00 a.m. services and lunch will be provided after the 10:30 a.m. service. Childcare is also available after the 9:00 a.m. service.

See you there!

by Anne

The first stage in any Search process is to search ourselves. And we need the input of the entire congregation to do this well. Next Sunday at 90 minute forums after each service, we will mine our memories for great stories― stories that describe who we are and what is important to us.

The mining process we’ll use is called appreciative inquiry:

Appreciative Inquiry is a systematic way of mining the past for the very best of it, learning in the present time who we and our organizations really are, declaring what the most desirable and preferred future would look like, and finally making plans toward that future. This is a totally future-oriented enterprise that depends on the very best of past and heritage to build a far better future than would simply happen by accident and the passage of time.

The Rev. Theodore W. Edwards, Jr. www.appreciative-preacher.com/course.php

When Jesus had something important to say, he told a story. Our stories can reveal God’s deepest callings to us when we take the time to listen carefully to one another. The wisdom within our stories often emerges through the telling. Next week we will take the time to tell and listen as a way of developing a vision of who we hope to be. See you there!

A Collect for Discernment (during our Rector Search):

O God of unchangeable power and light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things are made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

by Anne

Your Search committee was appointed in August, has been meeting regularly for two months, and was recently commissioned. Our first major task is to write the parish profile. The parish profile is a descriptive document about the life of our church. Who are we? What is important to us?

The first community of believers described in Acts 2:41-47 will form the framework of our profile but your stories will give it context and heart. “All who welcomed his message were baptized” is the first section, highlighting how our faith in a living God informs all of our actions. “Praising God” informs our worship styles. “They devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching” will be the section that describes our Christian formation processes at St. Tim’s. “They broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts” details our signature fellowship and hospitality. And the final section, “distributing the proceeds to all as any had need” will illuminate our value in lay leadership, reaching out, and serving out of giftedness.

Your stories will breathe life and meaning into the parish profile. We will begin gathering your stories at forums after every service on October 23rd. We will continue the process through covenant groups and other venues that next week. You are welcome to attend any covenant group any time, so please invite yourself by calling the leader! Thank you for making this a priority and voicing your unique perspective.

A Collect for Discernment (during our Rector Search):

O God of unchangeable power and light: Look favorably on your whole CHurch, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things are made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Search Committee Members:

Beto Casellas, Darlene Frick, Chris Gerdes, Cindy Howard, Ross Johnson, Bill Shreve, Kirsten Smith, Jonathan Trail, Anne Wilde, Claire Witzke, Fred Worley