Note at the top of the right sidebar the prayer for the search for new rectors to serve congregations in four parishes in south Louisiana, including my own, St. John. The diocese is working with a new (to us) program to choose prospective rectors from amongst recent graduates or soon-to-be graduates of seminary to be ordained for service in a particular church. For parishes with strained financial resources, the wage for a newly ordained priest, just out of seminary, compared to the wage for a priest with years of experience, can make the difference in whether a parish can afford a full-time priest. In addition, the search process is less expensive for the parishes.
The newly-ordained priests will serve with experienced priests as mentors for a period of time. Our congregations and the diocese appreciate prayers offered that all involved will be guided by the Spirit in matching parishes and rectors. Canon Mark Stevenson met with a group from St. John's last night, and he told us that quite a number of candidates stepped forward for consideration by the diocese and the churches involved.
Thanks to all who pray for us.
That sounds like a win-win, Mimi. I wish there had been such a program when I graduated seminary. Prayers for your parish, for the diocese and the seminarians.
ReplyDeleteGöran, thank you.
ReplyDeletePenny, I don't mind at all being part of a congregation that trains up a new priest in the proper way to be a rector. :-) The program is a godsend for our parish, because we are now operating in deficit, and I see how the program would be attractive to newly-ordained clergy, since fewer churches today have assistant priests than in former days.
Will certainly join in prayer for this.
ReplyDeleteThat seniority allowance makes it so difficult for small parishes. In my previous diocese, the basic salary was paid by the parish and the seniority allowance was paid by the diocese. That meant that all parishes were on a level playing field. It also meant that the annual apportionment paid by parishes to the diocese was higher, but it did help to spread the ministry costs fairly around the diocese, so there was not much complaining about it.
The United Church of Canada has a program such as you describe; they call it 'settlement'. The benefits are as you say. The drawback that has been found over time is that the clergy rarely stay longer in their first parish than the 'settlement' requires. I will therefore add to my prayer the petition that your parish finds a good priest who will bond with you all for the long-term!
Prayers for you and the other parishes. We, too, are looking for a new rector for St Marks Durango but our Diocese will not allow call of a graduating seminarian. Sigh.
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Tim, last night, we talked about the risk of a short stay with a priest just out of seminary. It often happens that the priest moves on when she/he receives an attractive offer. I believe the candidates commit to stay at least 3 years. Who knows? The match may not turn out to be made in heaven, and we may part by mutual agreement, although I'm a little proud to say that I think we are a congregation which, overall, has supported and worked well with our rectors over the years.
ReplyDeleteWe really don't have much choice in the matter, as we cannot continue to borrow from our endowment, which is not large. I thank you for your prayers.
susankay, we shall see how it goes. I expect that more dioceses will come to accept the practice. Thank you, too, for your prayers.
I wonder if something like this would work for my former (struggling) parish in Michigan...
ReplyDeletePrayers for y'all, Mimi.
JCF, the bishop would have to implement the process, but members of the diocese could talk it up.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the prayers.
JCF, the bishop would have to implement the process, but members of the diocese could talk it up.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the prayers.
JCF, the bishop would have to implement the process, but members of the diocese could talk it up.
ReplyDeletePrayers from here, too, Mimi.
ReplyDeleteKirke, thanks.
ReplyDeleteIt was -23ºC here this morning, and with the wind chill it felt like -29ºC. I must say that there are days when the thought of a move to Louisiana sounds very attractive!!!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness! The temp here is 73ºF. Come on down, Tim. I'm sorry that we can't afford you at St. John's.
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