St. Hilary’s Parish Profile
We are a parish with much to offer our community; we are seeking a rector who can guide us into the next phase of our parish’s history. We are a parish full of gratitude for the blessings God has poured upon us; we are seeking a rector to help us praise Him. We are a parish blessed with diverse opinions; we are seeking a rector to unify us fully in God’s love. Are you the one we seek?
Please click here or on the image above to view our parish profile.
What’s Happening in the Search Process
The Search has begun! The Search Committee is very excited to announce that as of April 17, 2013 our search for a new rector was officially posted on the national Episcopal Church website and we are now taking candidates’ applications. To get to this point, we and the vestry first made some conscientious decisions about who we are looking for as a rector. We used the results of the parish survey and our joint meeting to make these decisions and answer the very specific questions required by the national Episcopal Church.
We have also prepared a beautiful online brochure to highlight the best our parish and the Ft. Myers area has to offer to our new rector. (See above.)
We will accept applications for six weeks; then, after closing the process, we will begin discerning the best candidate(s) to put before the vestry. If anyone in the parish knows of a potential candidate, there are forms in the office to be filled out and put in the mailroom lock box.
Changes are happening all over St. Hilary’s and you all are an important part of our exciting future. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask any member of the search committee or email search@sainthilarys.org.
Parish Survey
The Search Committee wishes to thank all those who completed our parish survey. A summary of the results has been created and is ready for review. Click here to read the summary of our parish survey. Though we have only reported the highest ranked responses throughout this summary report, we have thoroughly studied all members’ responses and they will be given full consideration in choosing our new rector. If you wish to see the complete survey results or have questions about the process or summary, please contact Libby Maxwell of the Search Committee at search@sainthilarys.org.
Your Rector Search Committee
(Back row, left to right) Dennis Carlton-Jones; Trevor Whitley; Bob Casper; Tyler Bumsted; Ben Lane, Chair
(Front row, left to right) Debby Tripp, Chaplain; Libby Maxwell; Eric Jones; Nancy Terrell; Karin Winter, Vice-Chair
(Not pictured) Anne Kearns, Clerk
You can contact the Search Committee by filling out our online Contact Form here.
The Vestry has instructed the Search Committee via a “charge” or “mandate,” which you can read here.
A Time to Pray
We are the righteousness of God and our prayers are received before His throne. – Proverbs 15:29 Every Sunday after the 10:30 am service in the sanctuary we meet to pray for our parish, vestry, search committee, staff and clergy, and our future rector. Our purpose is to cover our transition time in prayer. Our call, in all things, is to pray without ceasing. Come join us! If you would like more information, contact Debby Tripp at 239-995-3709.
The following is a prayer used at weekly church services: 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 this parish, 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.
Diocese of Southwest Florida’s Fresh Start Program
As a congregation negotiates the twists and turns of a transition, life can get complex for the wardens, treasurers, search committees and other parish leaders. There is little in their experience to prepare them for the uniqueness of a transition in an Episcopal Church.
Fresh Start also prepares lay leaders by equipping them with terminology and trends in basic congregational development. But more than that, it allows them to let down the walls of the parish and to move from competition to cooperation.
Fresh Start sessions are open to everyone. Please click here to learn more about the Fresh Start Program.
