The Holy Spirit is alive and well at St. John’s, Essex, NY. We have a strong year-round congregation which grows dramatically in the summer months, and we have lively study and discussion of the Bible, spiritual books, and timely topics. We offer a safe place for people to explore and celebrate their relationship with God. We are a progressive parish; we care about inclusion, sustainability, our farmers, the less fortunate in our local communities and our missions/outreach. We are on the West bank of Lake Champlain, two hours north of Albany, across the lake from Burlington VT and an hour and a half south of Montreal. We seek a full-time rector (and are open to discussion if someone prefers part-time) who has a lively sense of the spirit, who has a sense of humor, and who enjoys beautiful natural surroundings, summertime lakeside and wintertime outdoor activities. We have a nice rectory, and we always pay our full diocesan assessment. We are excited about our new Bishop Jeremiah Williamson.
If interested, please contact: Search Chair
Dick Perez | 802.233.6332
ST. JOHN’S CHURCH
SEARCH PROCESS TIMETABLE
(The Vestry Serves as the Search Committee)
Jan. 13 (2023)
Fr. Craig Hacker notified the Vestry that he planned to retire and the Diocesan Standing Committee, acting in place of a bishop, was notified of the upcoming vacancy.
Jan. 18
Fr. Craig announced to the parishioners in church that he planned to retire.
Jan. 21
Letters were sent to the parishioners announcing that Fr. Craig was planning to retire.
Feb. 8
The vestry met with Mother Elizabeth Papazoglakis, Diocese of Albany Transition Minister, for search orientation and, in accordance of Diocesan policy, the Vestry assumed responsibility for serving as the Search Committee. Former Vestry member and Sr. Warden, Dick Perez, was appointed Chair of the Search Committee.
Mar. 2
The Search Committee held its initial meeting and began developing a Parish Survey to be sent to all parishioners and establishing the process for distribution.
May 10
The Search Committee met and finalized the Parish Survey.
May 17
The Parish Survey was sent to all parishioners.
June 10
The vestry held a retreat which was led by the Very Right Diane Nancekivell. The three major topics were: what we want from our church, how we view St. John’s at present and our hopes for St. John’s in the future.
July 11
Tabulation of the Parish Survey results was completed and the Search Committee met to review the findings and to prepare for the parish roundtable discussion of the findings at coffee hour on Sunday, the 16th.
July 16
A coffee hour retirement party for Rev. Craig Hacker was held following the Sunday service. This was followed by a Parish Roundtable discussion of the Parish Survey results. The Search Committee began developing the Office of Transition Parish Profile.
Sept. 11
The Search Committee met and continued discussion of the Parish Profile.
Sept. 18
The Search Committee developed the final language of the OTM Parish Profile “narrative”.
Oct. 2
The Search Committed reached consensus on the completed OTM Parish Profile.
Oct. 6.
The completed OTM Parish Profile was sent to Mother Elizabeth Papazoglakis, Diocese of Albany Transition Minister.
Nov. 10
Mtr. Elizabeth requested clarification of the OTM Parish Profile and a final version was submitted to her.
Nov. 29
The Search Committee developed an advertisement and submitted it to Mtr. Elizabeth.
Nov. 30
The Search Committee began to await referrals and receive applications from the Office of Transition Ministry.