Dear Saint Laurence,  

I invite you to join me for a congregational photo after church this Sunday.  I would like it to hang in the Hall of the Rectors to represent my tenure at St. Laurence.  Here's why I would want you to be in it with me:

Eight years ago, when I was looking for a new position, I came across St. Laurence's Parish Profile on a website of the Episcopal Church in the U.S.  I was drawn to the Profile because it reflected a parish with an actively engaged congregation, involved in shaping the life of their community.  The Profile communicated a clear vision for the future; this community had hope and a sense of possibility.  There was strength in their desire for worship, outreach, and pastoral care, and they expected that a new rector would work collaboratively with engaged lay leadership.  I found all that exciting and attractive, and that is why I applied. 

I'm grateful I did.  The vision cast by the Profile has been true.  You are a community that has hope and vision for its future.  I've been priviledged to be able to collaborate with strong lay leadership.  Our worship is vital and fresh, our outreach meaningful, our pastoral care tender.  We, collectively, have shaped what's happened here.  It's been the synergy of you (the reader), the collective community, the staff, the associated clergy, my gifts and talents, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.  

I would like the photo representing my tenure to reflect all the above.  I don't feel a head shot of simply me would do it justice.  I wasn't the one that made all this happen.  I helped, but so did you.  The people are the treasure of the church. 

So please join us in worship this Sunday, 10am.  Put on your Sunday best for the photo afterwards.  We'll then celebrate with a BBQ.  

Peace, 

Eric

I've heard some people wonder whether St. Laurence should go ahead with Renovision if I am leaving.  I think they are concerned that without a rector, we won't have the leadership we need.  Or that without a rector, people won't have the necessary confidence in the system to pull something like this off.  Those concerns are worth considering.  But let me offer some alternative thoughts that are based on all that I said in the above section. 

There are many parishes that could not carry out a Renovision process without a rector's leadership.  I don't think that's true of you.  I think it's important that this parish live into its own hope and sense of possibility for the future.  That predates me, I've nurtured it while I've been here, and it will still be here when I go.  Live into it.  

Here's why I think you should proceed: 

1)  Spiritually, living from a place of hope and possibility is beneficial.  

2)  As one lives into hope and possibility, their very existence is strengthened and deepened.  You could put everything on hold and spend the interim period between rectors waiting.  My fear is that would lead to stagnation.  But if you are putting energy and effort into creating something new, I think that will keep the system vital and fresh. 

3) St. Laurence will have the leadership to carry this out without a rector.  Since the beginning, the plan was to have the Parish Operations Manager be the staff person most intimately involved with this project.  Curt is capable and competent, and he will be able to provide the necessary continuity and stability.  In addition, the Renovision Project Team contains a strong group of lay leaders:  Mike Burpee, Susanne Stockdill, Rick Barr, Vivian Donnan, Connie Keen, Carla McGhie, and Dave Dennis.  We have the leadership we need to carry this out.  

4) It will make St. Laurence attractive to quality candidates seeking to be your next rector.  Think about it.  What would you be most drawn to?  A group of people who are living out a vision and working well with each other to carry that out?   Or a community that's not sure it has what it takes to renovate its own sanctuary?  Be who you are; that will attract a good rector.  

This of course is a weighty decision, worthy of thought and prayer.  I encourage you to do that over this summer.  Keep it in mind, ask your questions, do the research.  If you couldn't attend one of the presentations these last two Sundays, watch the video.  Read the Question & Answer sheet that goes with.  Engage the Project Team in conversation.   If you have concerns or questions, please let myself and the Project Team know. 

We will have final presentations on the finances on September 3 & 7.  We will have a Special Vestry to vote on Renovision after worship on September 10.  Until then, ponder and pray.

See you around, and if we don't, have a great summer!

Eric