December 1, 2023
St. Luke's is in the middle of the interviewing process, and we are working actively with the Bishop and the Diocese of Pennsylvania to fill our rector position. Although this is a confidential process with only the members of the hiring committee knowing who and how many candidates there are, any member of St. Luke's Church who has questions or concerns about the process can contact John Schmidt by email at john.schmidt1@verizon.net or Bill Mahler at bill.mahler@foxroach.com.
October 1, 2023
We are pleased to announce that we have received a number of applications for our rector position. Interviews are now being conducted and on-site visits being organized. Although this is a confidential process with only the members of the hiring committee knowing who and how many candidates there are, any member of St. Luke's Church who has questions or concerns about the process can contact John Schmidt by email at john.schmidt1@verizon.net or Bill Mahler at bill.mahler@foxroach.com.
Summer 2023
A transition in the Diocese's Office lead to Rev. Canon Jane Gober being named as the new Canon For Transition. Canon Gober had several suggestions for our parish profile and OTM which were implemented.
Canon Gober plans to highlight St. Luke's at a nationwide meeting of the transition canons later this summer.
December 2022
After much work and deliberation, we have finished the parish profile and Office of Transition Ministry (OTM) paperwork! They both were approved by the vestry and sent to the diocese this past month. They have now been approved by the Office of the Bishop. Once we receive the Bishop's approval, we send them to the graphic designer to add pictures and any other finishing touches. The end product should be a 25 - 30 page "look book" that will then send it out to prospective candidates and will also be available for parishioners to view.
We are asking for any pictures that you may have, especially taken in the last five years. Digital files are preferred and can be sent to Susan Bello at stlukeschurchpa@verizon.net.
Our job posting (OTM) will go up on the job board and we will begin to accept applications. We anticipate the job posting being up for approximately 12 -16 weeks.
Once the Profile Book and OTM are completed and posted, the Search Committee will take over the process and review applications, watch online sermons, and hold extensive interviews. The search committee will narrowed the candidate pool down to 3-4 candidates that they will present their candidates to the vestry. The Diocese will be informed and will conduct further evaluations on the candidates.
It is at this time that the lead candidate or candidates may travel to St. Luke's for in-person interviews and to host a mass. After the final candidate is selected and our offer is accepted, we anticipate it taking another 2-5 months for the new rector to be in-place.
What about Rev. Trey Kennedy?
Rev. Trey Kennedy was hired as the interim-rector-in-charge, so he is eligible to apply for the rector position. Recently, Fr. Kennedy told the Search Committee that in order to better focus on his tasks as Interim Priest-in-Charge, he has decided to remove his name from consideration as a candidate for the Rector of St Luke's. It is his intention to faithfully fulfill his duties as Interim Priest-in-Charge until such time as St. Luke's calls a new Rector.
Who is helping us with this process?
We are being guided through the process by Rev. Canon Jane Gober, who is the Canon For Transition, in the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. In addition to Cannon Joseph, St. Luke's has also hired Rev. Dr. Melford “Bud” Holland as a transition consultant.
Rev. Holland is an extremely accomplished leader in theological education and leadership development. Until his 2009 “retirement” Holland served as program officer for ordained ministry and leadership development at the Episcopal Church Center. Holland worked as deployment officer and bishop's assistant for ministry at the Diocese of Pennsylvania from 1994 to 1998. He was rector of St. James Church in Perkiomen, Pennsylvania, from 1982 to 1993. Holland holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wake Forest University, a Master of Divinity from General Theological Seminary and a Master of Theology and Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. Rev. Holland can be reached by email at budholland126@gmail.com.