Since late February when the Rector Search Committee members and the Vestry met with Bishop Mayer and Canon Janet Waggoner to review the ten-step transition process, we have begun work on step 4: self-study.

We have selected Holy Cow Consulting with whom we’ll work on setting up and administering a parish survey. This survey will gather information from parish members about their feelings about current Church programs, as well as priorities to be considered in the selection of a leader who will help us move toward our common goals. Holy Cow Consulting will assist us in preparing the survey as soon as they believe it is possible to get a reasonable response (when things get a little closer to “normal.”) We will continue to work with Holy Cow to customize the survey questions and determine how to disseminate the survey.

In the meantime, we’ve begun to work on the parish profile which will include information about the past, present and dreams of the future for St. Martin-in-the-Fields. This profile will eventually be posted on our website and on several sites used by clergy who are looking for a new opportunity. Someone described it as a “an online dating site” for parishes and clergy. In this year of celebrating our 50th anniversary as a Parish, we plan to have several group meetings to share the results of the survey and to clarify our mission and goals for the future, which will also help us define what qualities we most need in a new Rector.

Please be patient while we work on plans for these events either virtual or in-person, whichever is appropriate. In the meantime, stay safe and watch for the roll-out of the Survey. Your participation will be very important to help us move toward the perfect candidate for a new Rector of St. Martin-in-the-Fields.