Christ Episcopal Church

Christ Episcopal Church

GUILFORD, CONNECTICUT

Parish Profile

Table of Contents T his document is intended to provide candidates for rector with a clear, accurate, and comprehensive picture of Christ Episcopal Church, Guilford. It includes information on the Guilford community, how our church’s history and its current parish life and ministries help sustain its members, and what we see as our major strengths and challenges as a congregation.

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Table of Contents........................................................................ 1 Parish Mission Statement............................................................ 2 The Search Committee’s Mission Statement.............................. 2 Our Prayer................................................................................... 2 Community Demographics......................................................... 3 Our Parish History...................................................................... 5 Telling Our Story........................................................................ 6 Rectors of Christ Church, 1955-Present..................................... 6 Parish Demographics.................................................................. 7 Parish Life................................................................................... 8 Buildings and Grounds .............................................................. 9 Worship......................................................................................11 Christian Education................................................................... 12 Lay Ministry and Outreach....................................................... 12 Evangelism................................................................................ 12 Stewardship and Finances......................................................... 13 Parish Administration............................................................... 16 Conclusion: Our Goals and Expectations................................. 17 Further Expectations................................................................. 18

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Parish Mission Statement

We believe in God, who offers unconditional love, peace, forgiveness, and eternal life through Jesus Christ. We are a growing church family blessed with a much-loved and historic landmark church on the Guilford Green. We are an enthusiastic, caring, and prayerful community committed to welcoming all people who wish to join us on their spiritual journey. Together we worship, celebrate, and share our faith. We are grateful for the abundance that God has given us, and we are committed to giving faithfully in return. We enjoy an active fellowship with our parish, while building a program of outreach toward the local community and beyond.

The Search Committee’s Mission Statement Our mission is to call a new rector who will share our joy and gratitude for God’s abundance, to build a program of active fellowship within our own parish and a program of outreach toward the community and the world, and to care for each other and our neighbors both at home and abroad.

Our Prayer Dear Lord, we at Christ Church look to your wisdom and guid-

ance in assisting us in our journey to find a rector for our church. We seek a person who will enlighten us through preaching and teaching, who will inspire and engage us in Christian education, who will encourage a commitment by all parishioners in serving the needs of others, and will motivate our congregation to celebrate the Gospel in word and deed. All this we ask of you so that we may all come to know the love of Christ. Amen.

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Community Demographics Guilford was founded in 1639 as a small farming community. Slow changes over the next 300 years included the growth of specialty industries and development of the shoreline as a vacation/second home destination. The town’s greatest transformation occurred in the 1950’s with the growth of the suburbs as bedroom communities for urban centers such as New Haven. Today’s Guilford is an enjoyable mix of the old and new. The town features New England’s third-largest collection of antique residences. Four of these are maintained as museums. Homes continue to be renovated or replaced in ways that pay homage to the antique New England flavor of the town. The community actively works to protect and preserve its most valuable natural habitats. Dedicated open space owned by the town and the Guilford Land Trust exceeds 5,000 acres. The proximity to Long Island Sound provides a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, including town beaches. The current population of Guilford is approximately 22,000. Although the U.S. Census Bureau data from 2000 categorizes the population as 96% white, the community contains a relatively broad cross-section of ages, educational levels, and professions. Twentyseven percent of its residents are under 19 years old, and 25% are over 55. Forty-nine percent of adults have attained a bachelor’s degree and 24% have graduate or professional level degrees. Of the 2009 high school graduating class, 95% are planning on continuing their education. The median family income is over $85,000, and less than 2.5% of families are considered below the poverty level. Home ownership is at 85%. Major employers include United Technologies, Pfizer, and Electric Boat, as well as many small businesses. Some of these have been local, family-run operations for generations. Major health care providers include St. Raphael’s and Yale/New Haven Hospital, which operates an emergency care center in Guilford. There are over 24 colleges and universities within an hour’s drive, including Yale, Wesleyan, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. The town’s public school system includes four elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school. Guilford enjoys a good reputation for academic achievement, music and drama, and youth sports programs. The focal point of town is the Green, which is home to local shops and businesses, four churches, the newly renovated Guilford Free Library, summer concerts, festivals, and live theater. The Guilford Fair Grounds, less than one mile away, hosts a number of events, including the town’s agricultural fair. page 3

Just north of the Green is the Guilford Community and Senior Center. There are three senior housing complexes operated by the Guilford Housing Authority. Local mass transit is limited to the Shoreline East commuter rail service and the Shoreline bus service. The town is convenient to I-95 and the Amtrak northeast corridor service. Two international airports are within 90 minutes’ drive. The town government is led by a five-member Board of Selectmen. There is a new Public Safety Campus housing the Police, Fire, and Emergency Services. Christ Episcopal Church (and rectory) is one of four churches bordering Guilford’s spacious, beautiful Green. Ecumenical Gatherings are only a few steps away.

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A challenge for the town is the annual struggle to balance the benefits of the quality school program with the costs required to maintain it. There is a lack of affordable housing for both first-time home buyers and long-time homeowners on fixed incomes.

Our Parish History Christ Episcopal Church was founded by a Guilford native, The Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson, in 1744 as a missionary outpost of the Church of England. There were eight founding families who met in each other’s homes, with itinerant missionaries leading the worship. Six years later, the first church building was erected, a small wooden structure on the east side of the town Green. Dr. Johnson, who went on to become president of King’s College (now Columbia University), delivered the dedication sermon. The original structure had no pews or window glass, and sheep and goats wandered through the congregation. During the first 13 years of its existence, Christ Church had no priest, and services were led by lay readers. By 1764, the congregation had grown large enough to call its first rector, The Rev. Bela Hubbard. Money was raised for pews, windows, and a pulpit for the new minister. During the Revolutionary War, the building suffered from lawless violence. The lead from the window sashes is said to have been melted down for bullets to be fired at King George’s soldiers. In 1834, the vestry decided to abandon the original building and over the next two years raised $8,000 to construct a new church. The present stone church faces the Green, almost directly opposite from where the original building stood. It was dedicated on December 12, 1838. Built in 1820, the adjacent rectory was bequeathed to Christ Church in 1889 by The Rev. Lorenzo Bennett. In 1952, The Rev. Gilbert Baker was called as rector and later became the Bishop of Hong Kong. He is the only former rector of Christ Church to be called to the Episcopate. In 1955, the church called The Rev. Bradford B. Locke, Jr.. With the completion of the Connecticut Turnpike to Guilford, new residents swelled the parish membership, and attendance at weekly services grew to 300 or more. In 1961, some of our families transferred to the newly founded St. Andrew’s in Madison. A period of declining stewardship, membership, and church activity began in the 1970s. As a result, the property fell into disrepair. After 40 years of service, Father Locke retired in 1995. During the next two years, under the interim leadership of The Rev. David Parachini, the parish slowly started to rebuild. In the fall of 1997, the vestry called The Rev. Norman M. MacLeod III to be the 16th rector of Christ Church.

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Many improvements in both the parish community and the church property occurred under Father MacLeod’s leadership. The Sunday school grew, and we hired our first paid director of Christian education. Many new programs were initiated, and membership and pledges continued to increase. We conducted a major capital campaign, raising nearly half a million dollars to renovate the church buildings and to purchase and install a new pipe organ in the balcony. In the spring of 2008, Father MacLeod was called to the position as Interim Rector at St. James Church in Keene, New Hampshire. Our current Interim Rector, The Rev. Anthony C. Dinoto, arrived in June of 2008.

Telling Our Story Over 50 members of the parish attended the “Telling Our Story” session in June of 2008. Individuals were grouped according to the decade during which they first came to Christ Church. Those who came during the 1960s and earlier remembered a time of unprecedented growth, which culminated in the formation of the new parish of St. Andrew’s in Madison. Those who arrived in the 1970s found a church that reflected the many changes occurring in the larger society, including an increased interest in new and different forms of liturgy. Many recalled the energizing experience of a “Faith Alive” weekend at Christ Church. However, during the 1980s, by not including women in our liturgical ministries, we did not follow the lead of the National Church. The 1982 Hymnal was not placed in the pews until 1995. The 1980s and early 1990s saw both dwindling attendance and declining stewardship pledges, resulting in deferred maintenance of our buildings and grounds. Members who arrived during the last dozen years have found Christ Church once again to be a growing and thriving faith community, with a large influx of young families. During both periods of growth and decline, one constant has always been a dedicated core of members in our parish.

Rectors of Christ Church, 1955-Present

The Rev. Bradford B. Locke, 1955-1995. Retired. The Rev. Norman M. MacLeod III, 1997-2008. Moved to Keene, NH.

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Parish Demographics From the 2008 Parish Survey A survey of the congregation was performed in 2008 to gather current information about the composition of our parish. The response rate was approximately 25% of the surveys mailed, and the following statistical data are the results from those responding members. Younger families are under-represented in these responses. The occupations of our parishioners are primarily professional and academic. AGE

16-22..................................... 2% 23-40 ...................................11% 41-50....................................16% 51-65 .................................. 26% 65+.......................................45% GENDER Male.......................................30% Female....................................70% EDUCATION High school ............................ 6% Technical................................ 3% College.................................. 44% Graduate................................ 41% Other....................................... 3% YEARS ATTENDING CHRIST CHURCH Under 2 yrs............................. 1% 2-5 yrs.................................... 25% 6-10 yrs.................................. 24% 11-20 yrs................................ 17% Over 20 yrs............................. 32% SERVICE PREFERENCE 8 o’clock Rite I....................... 23% 10 o’clock Rite II................... 68% 8 or 10.................................... 9%

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MARITAL STATUS Single..................................... 9% Married................................. 69% Partnered................................ 2% Divorced................................ 6% Widowed.............................. 11% CHILDREN LIVING AT HOME Nursery school..................... 15% Pre-K.................................... 10% Kindergarten.......................... 7% Grammar school................... 32% Middle school....................... 14% High school.......................... 10% College................................. 12% FREQUENCY OF ATTENDANCE Weekly................................. 57% Twice a month...................... 11% Three times a month............. 20% Occasionally . ....................... 9% Easter/Christmas................... 2% TRAVEL TIME TO CHRIST CHURCH 15 minutes or less................. 86% 16 minutes or more.............. 14% RAISED EPISCOPAL Yes.......................................... 52% No........................................... 48%

Parish Life Individual Spiritual Growth

A faithful group of parishioners attends our weekly Thursday morning Bible study classes, and vestry members pursue spiritual renewal at an annual retreat. We have an active “Looking Ahead” group for the widowed and divorced women of the parish. Most of our committee meetings, and even choir rehearsals, begin with prayer, and vestry meetings are preceded by a celebration of the Eucharist.

Community Life

Our pastoral care committee calls on those who are ill or in a time of crisis. The women of the ECW organize assistance for members of the congregation who are in need. Altar flowers are delivered to sick or shut-in parishioners. Traditionally, small disagreements as well as major conflicts have been handled by the rector, with occasional consultation with others. Final decisions were made by the rector, which sometimes resulted in hurt feelings and unresolved conflicts. People desiring to be baptized, married, or confirmed generally have some connection with Christ Church and attend baptismal preparation, premarital counseling sessions, or confirmation classes. The whole parish enjoys many opportunities to get together, including breakfasts, picnics, potluck dinners, and weekly coffee hours following the 10 o’clock Sunday service.

Wider Church Involvement

We have both Diocesan and Deanery delegates. We have welcomed consultants from the Diocese and the National Church. Our ECW members have served on the Diocesan Altar Guild, ECW Board, and National Cathedral Association. Children from the parish have attended Camp Washington and Incarnation Camp. Over the past 10 years, we have had a cooperative relationship with the Diocese, and we have paid our Diocesan pledge in full. In the area of interfaith involvement, we participate in the annual Ecumenical Blessing of the Palms on the Guilford Green, the interfaith Community Thanksgiving Service, and pulpit exchanges. Our choir has sung with other churches in joint concerts, and the Concertato series draws audiences from Guilford and beyond. Members of the congregation planned a fundraiser with other Guilford churches to benefit Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Many parishioners are dedicated community volunteers. We join with members of neighboring churches in Guilford and Madison in the Crop Walk.

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Membership Statistics . Baptized members

From the 2008 Parochial Report

10 Yrs. Ago

5 Yrs. Ago

3 Yrs. Ago

2008

276

446

456

479

Adult members 161 293 288 297 (16 and over) Average Sunday attendance 117 131 131 145 (Based on four key Sundays) .Christmas attendance 311 324 351 425 Easter attendance 313 317 370 290 Baptisms Confirmations Receptions

13 0 0

12 1 0

9 0 0

4 0 0

Buildings and Grounds Christ Church, the adjoining parish house, and the rectory are on almost an acre of land facing the Guilford Green. Major work on the church structure has been done over the last 4-5 years, including re-pointing the stone facade, new flashing to repair leaks in the bell tower, and replacing the protective coverings outside the stained glass windows. Interior improvements included painting the sanctuary, guild room, hallways, and church school. A custom-built pipe organ was installed in the balcony. Renovation of the chancel is an ongoing project. Adjacent to the parish hall are the nursery, the kitchen, and two bathrooms, one of which is handicapped accessible. Just inside the lower door to the parish house is an elevator that provides access to the parish hall and the sanctuary. Sunday school rooms and church offices are located on the lower level. Behind the church is a memorial garden where services are sometimes held. The fenced-in yard encompasses a Noah’s Ark playscape, barbecue pit, picnic tables, and benches. There is ample parking around the Green and in the lot on the north side of the church, including designated handicapped spaces, and a ramp to the front door of the church.

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The rectory is adjacent to, and shares a driveway with, the parish house. It is a nine-room, four-bedroom, one-and-one-half bath, 3,000-square foot, antique center hall colonial, built c.1820, with an attached one-car garage. The interior

Buildings and Grounds received a major facelift in 1998, but the kitchen and upstairs bath need updating. This building has the flexibility to be utilized in a wide variety of ways: as a single-family residence, combined residential and church program use, or as a source of rental income. In 2008, the major work of restoring the exterior of the rectory was completed. We plan a capital campaign in the next three to five years to repay the loans for the rectory restoration and to finance other much-needed work. ENTRY

PARISH HALL MEMORIAL GARDEN

KITCHEN

STORAGE

VESTING ROOM

GUILD ROOM

SACRISTY

NURSERY ENTRY

ENTRY

CHANCEL

ENTRY

TO PARISH HALL, SUNDAY SCHOOL & RESTROOMS

PARKING

NAVE

RECTORY

NARTHEX ENTRY

ENTRY

ENTRY

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Worship The Holy Eucharist is the center of the expression of our faith and is celebrated every Sunday at 8 and 10 a.m. Our liturgical style has become more “broad” or “middle” church during the interim period, in contrast to the more “low” church style of previous rectors. Our 8 a.m. celebration follows Rite I of the Book of Common Prayer, and is attended by 20-25 people. The 10 a.m. family service follows Rite II, and is attended by 50-100 children and adults. We are very proud of our music program, and it is one of the major strengths of our worship together. Our recent organists/music directors have been graduate students at the Institute for Sacred Music at Yale University, and have been able to provide musicians from Yale for special occasions. The senior choir and choristers regularly perform Communion or Offertory anthems. Members of our “Cherub Choir” (4-7 years old) also occasionally sing during the service. Sunday school begins at 9:30, and the children join their families in the church at the Peace. Lay liturgical assistants play an important role in our worship services. Special services include a healing service every Wednesday at noon, two Christmas Eve services, and a Twelfth Night celebration. Holy Week includes Tenebrae, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Great Vigil of Easter, and two Easter morning services.

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Christian Education Youth/Sunday School We offer a Sunday school program for children

ranging in age from preschool through fifth grade. The program is staffed by a director of Christian education and 13 volunteer teachers. The young people are considered an integral part of our church and have numerous opportunities to participate in the Sunday services and outreach programs. Living the Good News, a lectionary-based curriculum, is supplemented by “The Sunday Paper.” We also have a nursery care for children up to 3 years of age.  

Teenagers The Journey to Adulthood Program facilitates the Christian

education of those in the 11- to 18-year-old range. Rite 13 & J2A members are extensively involved in parish fundraisers, including the “World Hunger 36Hour Famine.” The members of the J2A Program decide where to donate their funds. Classes are held weekly after the 10 a.m. service, and the program is staffed by a volunteer leader. Currently, the J2A youngsters are taking part in a once-a-month, two-year program for confirmation.

Adults Adult education includes weekly Bible study classes and occasional Sunday morning mini-classes on a variety of subjects between the 8 and 10 o’clock services. Lenten programs have been scheduled following the 10 o’clock Sunday service and on weekday evenings.

Lay Ministry and Outreach

Lay Ministries The laity serve in our worship services as liturgical assistants and as leaders in our parish administration and programs. There are two licensed lay Eucharistic ministers who may take the Sacrament to shut-ins.

Outreach We support many outreach programs, such as the Guilford

Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, and Christmas gifts for families affected by AIDS. We have had three successful silent auctions, bringing in over $10,000 at each event. The parish hall provides a home for many outside groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, ESL and GED classes, and music lessons.

Evangelism

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The community of Christ Church does not have a clear or concise program in place to provide an understanding of evangelism. Therefore, we are looking for leadership to educate us about the connection between good works and evangelism and to help us overcome our reluctance to share our faith stories.

Stewardship and Finances Stewardship pledging at Christ Church is currently achieved through a Commitment Sunday/annual pledging model in the fall of each year. A mailing is made to the parish and members are asked to determine their pledge commitment and to submit it either before or during the Commitment Sunday event. There is not an every-member visitation. The stewardship chairman and the rector manage the Commitment Sunday program. The stewardship chairman manages other aspects of the stewardship process. Currently there is no teaching about proportional or sacrificial giving, or tithing. The audit is current and Christ Church is found by the auditor to be in compliance with “normal and ordinary business practices.” The finance committee is reviewing if we are fully in compliance with the Business Methods in Church Affairs Manual. A draft budget is developed by the bookkeeper and the treasurer. The finance committee, including the rector, reviews the budget and proposes changes.  The draft budget is forwarded to the vestry for consideration and approval.  The budget is then presented to the parish at the annual meeting. The finance committee holds monthly meetings that are attended by the rector. The committee reviews the treasurer’s monthly report, financial statements prepared by the bookkeeper, and any significant present and future issues.  These are then presented to the vestry at its subsequent monthly meeting. At this time, there are several restricted endowment funds together valued at approximately $268,000. An unrestricted endowment fund also exists, but must experience market recovery of $19,000 before it can be tapped, due to accounting procedures the parish uses. Endowment assets have declined in value significantly due to a history of unsustainable withdrawals, coupled with the recent decline in the investment markets. A policy of withdrawing proportionate amounts from equity and fixed income investments may have worsened the decline during years of stock market losses. Stewardship giving has fluctuated during the past five years, generally following conditions in the economy: 2004: $184,330; 2005: $215,044; 2006: $235,488; 2007: $231,234; 2008: $200,892. After decades of spending more than income, the church budget was balanced in 2005 and 2006. Deficits were again realized in 2007 at $7,149 and in 2008 at $32,200. Through June 2009, there was a six-month shortfall of about $10,000. Giving in the first six months of 2009 at $117,489 surpassed the first six months of 2008 at $90,042.

Rectory Renovations Debt page 13

During 2008, extensive renovations were made to the exterior of the church rectory. Loans of nearly $208,000 are outstanding from this project. These

Stewardship and Finances loans will need to be repaid by either a special fundraising program or by incorporating the balance into a capital campaign.

Need for a Capital Campaign We anticipate the need for a capital campaign within the next three to five years. The last campaign was in 2001 and raised over $430,000 for an organ, church roof, painting, windows, handicap-accessible bathroom, church grounds, and many other projects. A capital campaign for 2010 and beyond could raise funds for the rectory restoration debt, additional work on the rectory interior, and projects within the church and parish hall. A capital campaign can also be used to raise awareness of planned giving strategies and techniques and could be used to help rebuild the endowment.

Historic Pledging Statistics

8 years ago

5 years ago

Number of pledging units 71

99

Average weekly pledge $21.31 Total pledges

3 years ago

$78,662



97

90

$27.03

$32.95

$33.91

$139,148

$166,192

$158,693

Giving from January to June in 2008 & 2009

$120,000 $100,000

Music Support

$80,000

Prior Year Pledges

$60,000

Pledge Payments Easter/Christmas

$40,000

Plate

$20,000

Donations

$0

2008 Jan. - June

2009 Jan. - June

Plate and Pledge Giving

$250,000 $200,000 $150,000 $100,000 $50,000

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Present

$0

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Stewardship and Finances

Summary of Budget Presented at the 2009 Annual Meeting

INCOME Proposed 2008 Actual 2008 Proposed 2009 Giving in Support of General Puposes Pledge Payments & Prior Cash Plate Offerings Easter & Christmas Other Total

177,894.01 6,378.48 13,809.23 13,783.23 203,448.03

215,700.00 6,400.00 5,300.00 13,500.00 240,900.00

Income from Other Sources: Income from Investments 15,000.00 15,634.46 Use of the Church Properties 13,000.00 13,551.00 Total of General Purpose Income 284,055.00 232,633.49 Total Special Purposes 15,100.00 7,809.67

15,500.00 14,550.00 270,950.00 1,599.00

Income Total

EXPENSES Disbursements - Outside Diocesan Pledge Special Offer - Outreach Disbursements - Within Total Salaries & Related Expenses Total Church Programs Total Plant Expenses Uncategorized Expenses Total Parish Operating Expenses Net Income

242,055.00 8,000.00 6,000.00 0.00 256,055.00

299,155.00

240,443.16

28,292.00 32,957.00 0.00 0.00

30,865.00 8,000.00 174,631.00 42,400.00 42,259.00 0.00 298,155.00 1,000.00

154,536.49 45,501.13 45,981.61 332.19 274,643.42 -32,200.26

ADDITIONAL CASH OUTFLOW Diocesan Loan/GPA Loan Cash Position with Debt Service SEEK $20,000 in Seed Capital for Capital Campaign Income with Debt Service

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272,450.00

173,034.99 30,130.0 36,288.00 0.00 272,409.99 40.01 -15,971.32 16,000.00 28.68

Parish Administration Vestry The vestry of Christ Church usually consists of 12 members. Nine of these are regular vestry members elected for staggered three-year terms at the annual meeting. The other three hold the offices of senior warden, junior warden, and treasurer and are also elected at the annual meeting, along with the parish clerk, for one-year terms. The parish by-laws set limits for these elected officers of three consecutive one-year terms. The vestry meets monthly from September to July, and meetings are chaired by the rector. Members are also expected to attend an annual event planning session as well as a yearly spiritual retreat. Some vestry members chair or serve on parish committees. Often the junior warden assumes the role of chair of buildings and grounds, and the treasurer serves as chair of the finance committee.

Paid Staff The part-time (30 hr. per week with pension benefits) parish administrator coordinates the calendar of events for church and use of the facilities by outside groups, publishes the weekly service bulletins, maintains church records, and assists in day-to-day operations. The part-time music director/organist works with the rector in selecting service music and conducts the choirs. Choir practices are on Thursday evenings. The current director graduates from the Yale School of Sacred Music in June 2010 and a replacement will need to be hired. The part-time director of Christian education is responsible for the elementary school-level Sunday school program. The director works with the rector on decisions concerning curriculum and schedule, and coordinates the coverage of classes by the volunteer teaching staff. Filling the position of the Sunday nursery attendant is a continual challenge. The sexton works part-time to maintain the church and parish hall and helps prepare for and clean up after specific events. Routine grounds maintenance and snow removal are contracted out to a local provider. The bookkeeper is an independent contractor who manages account payables and receivables, as well as employee and donor tax reports. This person assists the treasurer in preparing financial reports and in the formulation of the annual budget.

Volunteers As noted above, there are many volunteers who serve as Sunday school teachers, coordinators of liturgical assistants, and facilitators of parish events. page 16

Conclusion: Our Goals and Expectations The following four goals have been selected as most important for Christ Church and our next rector. Like books on the shelf, these goals lean against each other for support and strength. The first and fourth goals address our spirituality, and, like bookends, they provide support to all our future work together.

1. Stewardship Goal - to enlighten us through preaching and teaching so that we may experience the transformation from givers responding to budget needs into givers responding joyously to God’s gifts to us. Clergy expectation - to provide strong leadership and a vision to incorporate stewardship into the year-round life of the church.

2. Christian Education Goal - to inspire and engage all ages in Christian education and to enrich and strengthen the understanding of our Episcopal heritage. Clergy expectation - to be grounded in Episcopal traditions, and to expose us to the array of available resources to meet the education needs of the congregation.

3. Outreach/Inreach Goal - to encourage a commitment by all parishioners to be involved in serving the needs of others, both here and beyond our community. Clergy expectation - to join with parish leadership to explore opportunities that support and facilitate growth in our outreach to the world and inreach to our faith community.

4. Spiritual Life Goal - to motivate our congregation to celebrate the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed and to offer experiences that deepen our spiritual life in Christian fellowship. Clergy expectation - to be a shepherd who leads us in the discipline of prayer, by opening our eyes, ears, and hearts to God so we may discern how members of Christ Church can be disciples of Jesus Christ.

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Further Expectations We expect that the new rector will:

Be a caring, sincere listener, who respects confidentiality



Be forgiving and compassionate



Reflect faith in daily life



Be open to other people’s ideas



Accept criticism



Support parish programs



Be involved in the Guilford community and ecumenical programs



Be in concert with the Diocese



Be an effective communicator



Be an inspirational preacher



Acknowledge limitations, boundaries, and has integrity



Have a sense of humor

What the new rector can expect from the congregation:

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Time and patience during the transition period



Warm and welcoming



Accepting of new and innovative ideas



Enthusiastic support



Willing and eager to cooperate



Ready to meet new challenges



Talent that can be recruited



Dedication to the continued growth of the parish

We wish to express our thanks to the Diocese of Connecticut, especially to those involved in transition ministry, for their guidance and support during our search process.

The Rt. Rev. Andrew D. Smith, Bishop



The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens, Suffragan Bishop



The Rt. Rev. James E. Curry, Suffragan Bishop



The Rev. Erik W. Larsen, Canon for Transition Ministry



The Rev. Anthony C. Dinoto, Interim Rector



2009 Vestry

Edward Seibert, Sr. Warden

David Kish, Jr. Warden

Dirck Goss, Treasurer

Kasha Kingsbury, Clerk

Kay Claiborn

Dana Schneider

Ted Culotta

Cindy Smith

Bob Donahue

Diana Stovall

William Glover

Jean Valentine

Rob Hutchison

Rhoda Whitman



Search Committee

Diane Barker

Richard Marvin

Gene Bishop

Tom McGuigan

Jennie Hamilton

Susan C. Shackford

Carol Iovanna

Diana Stovall

David Jones

Rhoda Whitman

Evelyn Linskey Jane Inrig, Diocesan Consultant

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Christ Episcopal Church 11 PARK STREET GUILFORD, CONNECTICUT 06437

203-453-2279 www.ChristChurchGuilford.org