Sermon

St. Philip's Episcopal Church, Durham, NC

January 28, 2007 - Rector's Report at Annual Meeting

The Rev. Vicki L. Smith

For St. Philip’s church, 2006 was a year full of changes, challenges and learnings, some expected and some unexpected.  While the construction, which is challenging in and of itself, was expected, the search for a new rector was not.  Last summer, Scott Benhase was called to be rector of St. Alban’s church in Washington, D.C., bringing to an end his 10 years of fruitful ministry and leadership at St. Philip’s.  The parish grew and prospered under his direction and continues to be grateful for all that he did.

St. Philip’s has now entered what is called the interim time – that time of transition and change between one rector and the next.  It may feel like this is a pause in the life of the church, like we are idling at a corner, waiting for the light to change.  But in this case, at least, feelings are deceptive.  Though there are fewer programs because of the construction and some decisions must be delayed, significant work continues to be accomplished at St. Philip’s in this transition time. 

You should be very proud of your parish leadership.  Your vestry and wardens have stepped up to these multiple challenges with alacrity and skill.  They have taken on additional responsibilities and worked especially hard for the sake of this parish.  I must especially mention here your senior warden, Duncan Smith.  Duncan found himself thrown into a leadership role that was much more complicated and time consuming than he anticipated.  He has served God and this parish exceptionally well.  His skill, devotion, and kind heart have made him exactly the right senior warden for this time.  Thank you Duncan for all you have done. 

Your staff too, has adapted with skill and good grace to our temporary cube farm, construction disruptions, and the inevitable stress and anxiety of all these transitions.  Everyone has remained remarkably good-humored about cramped quarters, extra work loads and limited options.  We are very grateful to and for all of them.

I must at this point mention two more transitions that are coming for this parish.  The Rev. Cathie Caimano is in the search process and will probably be leaving St. Philip’s sometime this year and our long-time organist and choirmaster Kent Otto will be retiring in June.  Though there will be opportunities to fete and thank both these folks before they leave, I want to express the parish’s appreciation to them for all that they have done here.  They leave big shoes to fill.

St. Philip’s coming into 2007 faces some difficult financial and programmatic challenges.  The 2006 stewardship campaign did not result in enough pledges to fund the parish programs and staff at the previous levels.  Because of some circumstantial changes, primarily in personnel, this year’s budget is balanced but you should know that it contains no staff raises, as well as generalized cuts across the board.  In 2008, as the debt service increases and St. Philip’s again returns to full staffing levels, there will be substantial financial challenges to be met. Over the next few months, the budget committee, stewardship committee and vestry, along with all of you, must explore how the parish will address this.

In the midst of all these changes and challenges, the richness of the life of the parish continues unabated.  God is worshiped and served here, day by day, week by week.  Children are taught and ministries in the world are offered.  Members serve God and the church in a variety of roles – leading and participating in worship, teaching, caring, and reaching out in Christ’s name. 

As individuals and as a church, this time of transition has provided an opportunity to prepare to welcome the new rector.  This is a process of remembering Scott and his ministry with gratitude and joy, making peace with any past disagreements or hurts, and preparing for a new phase in the life of the parish.

They say, and I can testify, that the value of moving house is that it provides an opportunity to clean things out, to sort what is of value from what is junk, and figure out what to keep and what to leave behind.  The whole process centers around the question, “Do I really want to carry this into the future?” 

Though you are not moving house, the question remains the same.  What do you, as a parish, want to carry into the future with your new rector? St. Philip’s has entered a process of discerning who it is, where it is called to go, and what sort of leader is needed and desired to answer God’s call.  The profile committee, which is a great committee by the way and has done excellent work, has led the parish in evaluating ministries and programs, learning more about who we are and what we value, and what our core commitments and concerns are.  Through cottage meetings, research and conversations throughout the congregation, the profile committee, with the help of Bruce and Kathryn Olive, is nearing completion of a parish profile that is clear, accurate, exciting, and fun.  This profile will help potential rector candidates discern if St. Philip’s is the place for them. 

In a few weeks, the search committee will be appointed and begin its work, with the goal of having a new rector in place in the fall.  Please keep all these folks and this parish in your prayers as this process continues.

Rather than idling in place, St. Philip’s is using this interim time to live IN the present and INTO the future.  We are continuing to live out our witness to Christ here and in the world and the same time that we are laying the groundwork and preparing ourselves and this church to welcome the new rector that God will bring.

I am privileged to walk with you through this fascinating time.  I pray God will bless us, as God always has, and enrich our lives as we walk together through this year.          

In Jesus’ Name, Amen

© 2006, Saint Philip's Episcopal Church
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 218, Durham, NC 27702
Telephone 919-682-5708, Fax 919-683-1857

Webmasters: Jack Mitchell, David Smith