More About Pastoral Transitions…
As Mo. Sarah prepares to take leave as our Rector after 8 1/2 years of service and our parish enters this season of transition, your wardens and vestry will seek to anticipate and respond to questions you may have about the transition process. Please email our Senior Warden Camille Stell at camille.stell@gmail.com with your questions and watch for news and information here in this space!
Who’s “in charge” of what after the rector departs?
At some point, in consultation with our bishop, a priest likely will be called to fill the role and assume the responsibilities of the rector on an interim (that is, temporary and transitional) basis so the proper functioning of the parish is maintained through the pastoral transition.
The role of rector is described here in the Constitution of our Diocese, Article X:
Section 1. Any presbyter regularly called to the charge of a parish and entering thereupon, shall during the time of such charge, be held to be the rector of said parish.
Section 2. Rectors are recognized as having, by virtue of their office, the exclusive regulation, under their canonical superiors, of all the spiritual concerns of the parishes they serve; as being entitled at all times to have access to the church building, and to open the same for the services or instruction of this Church, as they may deem proper; to call meetings of the vestry or congregation; when present, to preside in the same, and, in case of a tie, to cast the deciding vote.
In the polity (organizational structure) of the Episcopal Church, when there is a vacancy in the rector position, the wardens of the parish assume the authorities of the rector position until a priest (presbyter) is called into that role.
While it might feel “natural” to have the Associate Rector – in our case, Fr. Mawethu – take on the role of the rector during a transition, it is unjust to ask a priest to do work for which s/he is not fairly compensated and may not be prepared to do, or to assume the rightful responsibilities of lay leaders.
This means that until/unless a transitional or interim priest is called, Camille Stell (Sr. Warden) and Joel Perez (Junion Warden) will assume the following authorities as described in the Canons of our diocese, Title D.V Section 3(b):
In the absence of the rector, the wardens shall preside in all meetings of the vestry or congregation, in order of their official seniority. As representatives of the vestry, they shall (subject to the vestry’s directions and consistent with the rights of the rector) have charge of the church building and they shall see that it is kept from all uses inconsistent with the doctrine or discipline of The Episcopal Church and, so far as possible, in good repair, as becomes the house of God. The wardens shall see that the church is prepared for public worship and that order is preserved during that worship; that suitable books are provided for the services, vestments for the clergy, and, when necessary, the elements for the Holy Communion.
Of course, our wardens will not do all of this alone, just an elected rector like Mo. Sarah or an interim rector will not do it alone! At St. John’s many hands collaborate and serve together to ensure that the ministry and mission of the church continues fruitfully, that the buildings are in good order and used for proper purposes, and that the liturgy is in good and proper order. That collaboration and mutual service will continue.
When there are conflicts or differences of opinion in these matters, where does “the buck stop” on decision-making?
The “buck stops” with the wardens, under the direction of the vestry, so long as their decisions adhere to the Constitution and Canons of the church/diocese. If a different of viewpoint arises on what is “in accord” with the Constitution or Canons, then our Diocesan Bishop, The Right Rev. Sam Rodman, should be consulted for guidance and direction.
Who will take care of the day-to-day, week-to-week operations of the parish?
Much of the operational “business” of the church is already managed by various staff or vestry members, in collaboration with other staff and other lay leaders in the parish; so, much of this should continue without interruption!
There will be some changes, however, especially around worship planning, at least until/unless an interim rector is called. We are still working out the details of how to handle a few tasks for which Mo. Sarah has taken primary responsibility, so watch the eNews for more on those specific areas!
