All Saints' Episcopal Church
Living and Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Rector Search Committee
Almighty God, you know the needs of your Church in every place: look graciously upon us, the people of All Saints', and grant us the guidance of your Holy Spirit as we seek a new Rector for this parish. Give us discernment, wisdom, and confidence in your timing. Guide the members of our Search Committee, as they labor to be faithful in seeking your will. We pray for the life of our parish, that we may continue to be strengthened in our mission in "Living and Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ". Bless us with mutual trust and respect, courage, and foresight as you shepherd our community through its journey. Grace us with continuous direction and inspire us toward genuine self-reflection. All this we ask as we walk in your ways to the glory of your name. Amen.
Adapted from https://www.stmartininthefields.org/archive/prayer-as-we-search-for-a-new-rector-2/
There is a flowchart detailing all the moving parts and happenings of our rector search detailing all the ins and outs of the Diocese, the Vestry, and the church.
Vestry Charge to Rector Search Committee
All Saints’ Episcopal Church
1001 12th St., Cayce SC
The Rector Search Committee (RSC) is charged to conduct a thorough, thoughtful and prayerful search and evaluation of qualified candidates for the position of Rector for All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Cayce, SC. The Vestry directs the Rector Search Committee (RSC) to conduct a national search, without regard to age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation or nationality, for a rector who will be an effective leader in the parish, the Diocese and the national Church. The Rector Search Committee (RSC) shall approach the search process prayerfully with attention to the relevant provisions of Canon Law & Diocesan and National Church requirements pertaining to the search process, and bearing in mind the interests of the whole parish and all of its various constituencies and ministries.
A Year in Review for the Rector Search Committee
The Rector Search Committee (RSC) hit the ground running in 2023. We gathered monthly at the beginning of the year to discuss each step in this process with prayerful intention. We developed a survey, advertised and held a "Soup and Salad Luncheon" in March to give an overview of the search process and allow parishioners to complete their survey. Anyone who regularly attends and unable to be present at the luncheon received a mailed copy of the survey to their home with an addressed and stamped envelope for return or were provided a link via email to complete the survey online. With the survey answers and results, the RSC developed our portfolio for the national church's Office of Transition Ministry portal. The portfolio is a narrative, answering twelve specific questions of how we function as parish, such as what are our various ministries in the community, how do we handle disagreement, worship style and what characteristics are we looking for in our next rector to name a few. We completed and posted by April and as well as our parish profile for our webpage. We maintained communication with the diocese and directly with Archdeacon Jane Wilson in our search process when she came on board with the diocese in late spring.
After Patricia’s retirement, Rebecca met with Archdeacon Jane Wilson to discuss a few tweaks to the portfolio to highlight some of our best characteristics. With her assistance, we wordsmithed to describe ourselves as we truly are. It is hard to toot your horn, but Archdeacon Wilson visited us in July and viewed first hand our small loving parish, where the oldest and youngest, work together and celebrate the Eucharist weekly, in Christian love. As a small parish, Archdeacon Wilson encouraged us to be open and flexible to the possibility of negotiation for a full or ¾ time position. An additional suggestion was crafting a letter to our "future rector" which is now included in the parish profile online. After all edits to the portfolio, parish profile and letter for our rector were finished and reposted in October. We have proactively formatted our interview questions for when we receive possible candidates.
In late October, Archdeacon Wilson met with vestry and RSC. November brought the opportunity for all parishioners to engage in discussion and conversation with Archdeacon Wilson at our Wednesday Evening Prayer and Potluck. We listened with hopeful hearts as she explained where All Saints' is and moving in this process. Her presentation brought much needed encouragement and comfort, as we are on the right track.
As we patiently wait, we remind of parishioners of a few details:
- Continue to be present in worship and other activities. We are still here worshiping, serving our church and visible in our community.
- If you have not done so already, complete your annual giving pledge card. By doing so, we, the RSC and vestry, are able to communicate with potential candidates a transparent portrait of our parish budget and financial status.
- Be prayerful in guiding us in our search.
With Love in Christ,
Rebecca Rutherford, RSC Chair
Google Maps
Contact Info
| 📌 |
1001 Twelfth Street Cayce, SC 29033 |
| 📞 | 803-796-5735 |
| 📱 | 803-318-0833 |
| ✉ | rector@allsaintscayce.org |