Search Committee Announcement 

August 25, 2026

Greetings from your Rector Search Committee! Now that our committee has organized,
I wanted to share some comments on the search process and what the congregation
can expect. First, as of August 18, our search process is “live” and accepting
candidates. I want to thank the Vestry for all their hard work over the past several
months, culminating in the publication of our Parish Profile. This is a beautiful
document, excellently produced, and will serve as the public face of our parish as we
seek to attract candidates for our search. The profile is available for download on our
website at www.sainthilarys.org/rectorsearch. Just scroll to the bottom of that page and
you will find the link. Our “live” period to accept applications will remain open through
September 30. All applications are made through the Diocesan office, and the
committee will not be reviewing any applications until the “live” period closes, at which
time we will begin our work of evaluation of all the applicants at the same time. As we
enter this period of discernment and evaluation in the fall, I want to remind everyone
that a portion of our work is a confidential hiring and interview process. No member of
the search committee is permitted to share any information with anyone, including the
Vestry, about the candidate evaluations, how many applicants we received, or “where
things stand.” I ask for your understanding and cooperation throughout the search as
we maintain the confidentiality of our work. Please do not put any member of the search
committee in an awkward position to say “no” by asking for information. As a committee
we are committed to being as transparent as possible as we progress through our work,
and I will be making announcements with updates as we are able and have something
to share.
What can you do in the meantime? First, hold our committee, congregation, and
applicants up in prayer continually! If you prefer to recite pre-written prayers, I commend
to you the Prayer for the Election of a Minister on page 818 of the Book of Common
Prayer. We will also begin praying this prayer together on Sunday mornings during the
Prayers of the People each week until a Rector is called.
Second, take a look at our Profile. It contains a wealth of information about our
congregation, some of which you might not be familiar with! And after you read it, share
it with your friends, on social media, and with others you know in the Episcopal faith.
You never know who might read it and know someone who would be a good candidate
for our next rector. If you know someone who you think would make a good rector for St.
Hilary’s, please share the profile and our website directly with them and encourage
them to apply. All applications go through the Diocesan office, so if you recommend
someone to a member of the search committee, we are going to encourage you to urge
them to apply in the same manner. Details on how someone should apply are also
available on our website.
Lastly, our committee will be active throughout the month of September preparing for
our work in evaluating the candidates we receive. One of those tasks will be to prepare
a list of interview questions we will ask of each candidate, either written or verbally. If,
after reviewing our profile, you have any suggestions for a question you think we should
ask, please let a member of the search committee know. You can also email your
suggestions to trevorw@marquiswealthgroup.com.
We appreciate all of your support as we begin this important work on behalf of our
congregation!
Sincerely,
Your Search Committee
Trevor Whitley, Chair
Ted Tripp, Vice Chair
Bob Eagen, Clerk
Darline Knowles, Lay Chaplain
Bev Swanson Humphrey
Tom McGinley
Ellen Phillips