Planning Our Future - Together!
SPR Rector Discernment
This page will be updated regularly as we proceed through the rector search process. We encourage you to visit often as updates are made available!
CAT Results
Dear People of SPR,
As part of the process to search for a new rector, parishioners took a survey called the “Congregational Assessment Tool,” or CAT, during Lent. The consulting company who administers the CAT also produces a report of the results, providing information about what parishioners say they want and how our church’s attitudes and qualities match up against those of other congregations.
The vestry and Rector Discernment Committee received training from the diocese about how to interpret the results. The Rector Discernment Committee led small group discussions in June to get more feedback about parishioners’ experiences and ideas and help them complete the picture of the congregation sketched out by the CAT and the work of the Transition Team last fall. The vestry is also thinking about the CAT results, and we wanted to share a snapshot of our thinking with you.
The CAT reported that the following four goals are the highest priorities for parishioners:
Develop the spiritual generosity of the people to financially support the ministry of the church.
Create more opportunities for people to form meaningful relationships.
Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to reach new people and incorporate them into the life of the church.
Strengthen the process by which members are called and equipped for ministry and leadership.
For the past few years, the vestry has been thinking about the leadership structures of the church. In particular, we plan to restructure how we talk about involvement at SPR so that everyone feels supported by the church leadership and connected to the larger mission. How do the various volunteer activities and ministries relate to each other and to our goal to live into radical hospitality? How can we live into our core values–caring, community, belonging, helping, inclusivity? And how can we sustain all of this in a joyful, life-giving, and critical community?
The vestry will have a retreat in August and will roll out more about how the CAT is informing our conversations as we head into the new program year this fall. Until then, we are grateful for your presence and your prayers.
Your SPR Wardens,
Jason and Mel
2025 Rector Discernment Committee
Thank you to our parishioners who have discerned a call to serve on our rector discernment committee! Below, you will find the names, roles, and liturgy times of our search committee members.
Andrew Chipman, Co-Chair [10am]
Toni Daniels, Co-Chair [10am]
Patrick Jonker, Member [10am]
Shirley Knight, Member [8am]
Jordan Lanfair, Member [8am]
Kari Martin, Member [10am]
Romonda McKinney, Member [10am]
Ariana Strahl, Member [10am]
Jim Tonsgard, Member [8am]
Almighty God, giver of every good gift,
look graciously on your Church,
and so guide the minds of those
who shall choose a rector
for the Church of Saint Paul and the Redeemer,
that we may receive a faithful pastor,
who will care for your people
and equip us for our ministries,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
-Book of Common Prayer
Prayer for the Election of a Bishop or other Minister
SPR Core Values
From the Interim Rector
Dear SPR Community,
I am excited for you as you begin the important steps of engaging the Congregational Assessment Tool (CAT) and as you discern your leaders for the Rector Search Committee. Congratulations. Please know you and this process are a central part of my prayers for you in the coming weeks.
You have prepared for this moment in many ways, including your work last December on a Core Values exercise from a resource called the Interim Ministry Network. Over 100 SPR parishioners from both the 8am and 10am services participated. Below you will find results from that work which come directly from parishioners’ verbal and written responses to five questions:
What do SPR’s stated core values say about who SPR is in this moment?
What, if anything, surprised you about the core values NOT included as current values of SPR?
Why do you think the values of inclusivity and multicultural were named as aspirational?
Which of these core values connect with SPR’s current vision: “To mirror the radical hospitality practiced by Jesus?” Which of these core values suggest different language or a different vision?
Given the core values named by the congregation in this exercise, what gifts and skills and passions in ministry would you like to see in SPR’s next rector?
This is your good work, so please use it to the fullest in the coming weeks and months. It is a privilege and a joy to travel this part of the journey with you.
Your brother in Christ,
Wes Smedley
Interim Rector