The Day of Pentecost, June 9, will be Fr. Jeff’s last Sunday among us. Mark your calendars for a special leave-taking liturgy at a 9:00 a.m. service, to wish the Lewis family Godspeed.
As Fr. Jeff wrote in his parish letter: “A transition team that includes the Senior Warden Elizabeth McCorkle, Junior Warden Robert Daunt, and the Rev. Wendy Howe is already being put into place and will preclude the need for a formal, full-time interim rector.” This plan came from Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves and Deacon Brian Nordwick at the Diocesan office, who realized that this next Rector search will be a quick one, with a new Rector likely in place sometime in the fall. In fact, the Search Committee has already received its first batch of applicants.
The transition team has been meeting weekly with Fr. Jeff to insure a smooth changeover. Elizabeth and Robert, in concert with the Vestry, will oversee the administration of the parish. Wendy will plan the liturgies and provide pastoral care. She will preach once a month and has scheduled a number of area priest to take services as well, insuring that we hear a variety of voices in the coming months.
While we will be sad to see Fr. Jeff go, his wonderful sermons, his lively and smiling presence, and his able leadership leave us filled with gratitude for his time among us.
The clergy photos in the hallway of Clay Hall remind us that we have had many faithful priests in the past 137 years. Our Bishop assures us that the Holy Spirit will send us a priest who is right for this next season at our beloved St. Mary’s.