March 2, 2025: Transition Update from Sr. Warden, Camille Stell
Dear St. John’s Family,
As our church is in a season of transition, we are encouraged to be in a season of spiritual discernment—both as a parish and as individuals. Discernment is the process of seeking God’s guidance and wisdom, listening for the Spirit’s movement in our hearts and our community. It requires patience, prayer, and trust in God’s plan for our future.
I’m reading a book entitled, The Discerning Life: An Invitation to Notice God in Everything by Stephen Maccia. It has been especially helpful to me during this time of transition. As part of this process, we want to update you on the search for our interim rector. The Diocesan Transition Office is currently collecting resumes and expects to have candidates for us to review soon. Please continue to pray for this important step in our journey.
We also invite everyone to a churchwide meeting on March 16, following an abbreviated coffee hour. This will be a time of fellowship, discussion, and shared vision as we continue moving forward together. That morning, we are blessed to welcome Rev. Marion Sprott, who will be leading our 7:45 and 9:30 a.m. services and facilitating a parish-wide discussion on attributes we are searching for in our new rector. We encourage you to attend, meet Rev. Sprott, and take part in the ongoing life of our parish.
Please keep our ministry leaders, staff, vestry, and search committee members in your prayers, asking for wisdom and clarity as they guide our church through this transition. May we all continue to listen for God’s voice as we seek the next faithful steps for St. John’s.
In peace,
Camille Stell, Senior Warden
February 21, 2025: Transition Update from Sr. Warden, Camille Stell
The Vestry met on February 19 to choose the members of the search committee. Below are the members who were appointed:
Parish Representatives
Brent Goodwin
Roxanne Johnson
Elizabeth McDuffie
Stephanie Rogers
Marita Rutko
Ann Van Cleave
Vestry Members
Bob Hill
Kolin Murphy
Joel Perez
Youth Advisory Members
Henry Roberts
Aubrey Shail
We appreciate the many people who volunteered to serve on the committee. We had so many outstanding candidates, it was a difficult decision and one that we took seriously and prayerfully. Please add these individuals to your personal prayer list for wisdom and discernment as they spend the next several months together on mission for St. John’s.
SAVE THE DATE for March 16 – Rev. Marion Sprott of the Diocese Transition Office will be delivering the sermon at the 7:45 and 9:30 AM service. Following the 9:30 AM service, Rev. Sprott will lead a parish-wide meeting to create our Rector Profile to aid us in the search process. We will cancel Tapestry that day so everyone can be a part of the service.
As always, reach out with any questions you might have!
Camille Stell, Sr. Warden
February 9, 2025: Transition Update from Sr. Warden, Camille Stell
Dear St. John’s Family,
As we continue our journey in the search for our next rector, I want to take a moment to encourage and uplift each of you. This past week, we were blessed to have our Bishop Sam Rodman and the Rev. Marion Sprott from the Diocese Transition Office visit with us, offering guidance and clarity on the available paths forward in our interim rector and full-time rector search. It was a meaningful time of discussion and discernment, and we are grateful for the wisdom and support provided from the Diocese.
On Saturday February 8, the Vestry will be gathering in retreat to reflect, pray, and seek God’s direction as we move ahead in this important process. We ask for your prayers—not only for the Vestry but for our entire church family—as we listen for God’s call in this season. We trust that the Holy Spirit is at work among us, guiding us to the right leader for our congregation. At the retreat, we will determine which of several options that were presented to us we will follow. Next week, look for an update here, as well in person as you connect with Vestry members over the week.
Though St. John’s is in a time of contemplation as we say good-bye to Mother Sarah, we are not a church in stagnation. Our mission remains strong, our ministries are vibrant, and our faith continues to be active. St. John’s is moving forward, grounded in the love of Christ and the strength of our community.
Thank you for your continued faithfulness, prayers, and commitment to the life of our church. We walk this path together, with hope and trust in God’s plan for us.
In Christ, Camille Stell, Senior Warden
March 26, 2025: Transition Update from Sr. Warden, Camille Stell
Transitions and New Beginnings at St. John’s Episcopal Church
As we move through this season of transition in leadership at St. John’s, we are also in the period of Lent – also considered a season of transition. Lent is a 40-day period of reflection, spiritual renewal, and preparation for the celebration of Easter marked by practices such as prayer, fasting, giving up pleasures or taking up spiritual disciplines.
Easter is glorious, full of alleluias and forgiveness, light and hope. But there is no path to Easter that doesn’t take us through Lent. We must experience Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday, and Maundy Thursday. We must hear the crucifixion story and be reminded of the sacrifice of Good Friday.
I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey we are on together. Change is never easy, but it is an inevitable part of life and faith. Just as the seasons shift from the cold dormancy of winter to the vibrant renewal of spring, as we move through Lent and await Easter morning, our church is entering a new phase—one filled with challenges, opportunities, and the promise of growth.
We have embarked on the important work of calling new leadership. Our search committee has been prayerfully appointed and has begun the sacred task of seeking the person God is calling to be our next rector. At the same time, we are preparing to welcome an interim rector who will guide and support us through this transition period. This leadership change marks an important step in our collective journey, one that requires patience, faith, and an openness to God’s plan for St. John’s.
In times of transition, it is natural to feel uncertainty. However, we can find great comfort in remembering that nothing ever stays the same—except for God’s unwavering love and presence in our lives. Just as spring brings the promise of new beginnings, this time of change brings fresh perspectives and renewed energy to our church community. It is a time to reflect on where we have been, honor the work and legacy of those who have led us thus far, and look forward with hope to the future God is preparing for us.
Recently, Rev. Marion Sprout visited with us and brought an energetic sermon that incorporated Lent, transition, and a riddle about chickens and math – I hope you heard it! She also reminded us to grant grace to one another as we work together during this time of change.
Throughout this process, I encourage each of you to remain engaged—through prayer, participation, and trust in the work of the Holy Spirit. The journey ahead will require patience and discernment, but we are not alone. Together, as a congregation, we will support one another and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.
Continue to offer constant prayer for our search committee who were recently commissioned and pray the Prayer for St. John’s Transition.
Thank you for your continued faith, commitment, and love for St. John’s. May we walk forward with courage, knowing that God is leading us into a new season of growth and renewal.
Prayer for St. John’s Transition
Ever-present and Holy God, as you continue to invite new people into St. John’s, we ask your ongoing guidance and blessing upon us, that we may always become more fully the people and congregation you would have us to be. Keep our hearts deeply grounded in your divine love, that we may grow in steadfast love and gentleness for one another. Inspire our leadership with wisdom and creativity to navigate the ongoing changes that lay before us. In this season of transition, we particularly pray for Sr. Warden, Father Mawethu, vestry, staff, search committee, and our eventual new rector. Fill all of us with courage, kindness, and patience as we walk the Way of Love with one another and with the broader diverse community around us. All this we ask in the name of your son Jesus, who lives and reigns in each of us every day. Amen.
Faithfully,
Camille Stell, Senior Warden
