Dear Fellow Parishioners,
Last month, the Wardens informed the Parish of Father Andrew’s retirement. Since then, Father Andrew has given us the date of his last Sunday so we can begin planning our farewell events for the Fosters. The Rector’s last Sunday will be June 3, 2012, which is Trinity Sunday. The Vestry has already formed a transition and events committee to help plan that special Sunday as well as other events, including Ascension Sunday (May 20, 2012) when Father Andrew’s portrait will be unveiled and blessed by Bishop Sisk. Please save these two important dates on your calendar, as we look forward to your involvement with these events to ensure a celebratory send off for Father Andrew and his family.
Many of you have naturally asked about the next steps in the search for a new Rector. Two weeks ago, we had a conference call with the Rev. Tom Orso, Canon for Deployment, from the Episcopal Diocese of New York. In our conversation, he outlined the beginning steps of the transition process and gave us some helpful resources from the Diocesan website. His guidance was to first focus on planning a proper goodbye for Father Andrew. In April, Canon Orso will meet with the Vestry to provide further detail about the process, and we hope to begin setting a timeline for finding a interim Rector and selecting a search committee.
We are committed to providing the Parish with updates as we move forward in the transition process. If you have questions or concerns, you are welcome to bring them to a Warden or member of the Vestry.
John Grimes and Steve Hubbard