Many parishioners have asked how they might participate in the process of finding our next rector.

The vestry is planning a special day, set aside for all of us to get together, share our stories, and discern where and how God is calling our parish to grow in His work in the world. Saturday, January 30th, from 9:00 AM through lunch is the time. If you can, try to come at 8:30 for coffee and light breakfast, so we can start right at 9:00. We recognize how difficult it is--especially for families with young children—to give up part of a Saturday. But we also recognize how crucial it is to have each person represented in the picture of who we are as a parish. This day is the great launching of our search process, which will end months and months later in our making a match between St. A's and a new leader. That match will only be as good as our efforts to be honest about who we are NOW—all of us together.

Facilitating the day will be The Rev. Canon S. Mortimer Ward IV (Mort), from Santa Barbara, Transition Specialist for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. Mort has been a priest for 40 years and has been a specialist in transitions since 1994. Both All Saints Episcopal Church, Beverly Hills, and St. Matthews Episcopal Church, Pacific Palisades, launched their search processes with such a day. Those who attended had only one regret: that they hadn't pushed others to come. It was such a meaningful experience that they hated having others miss out on it.

Here is what Mort Ward says about the day: "From the time of the Exodus our scriptures have recorded God's interaction with humankind as we are constantly being called forth on new journeys. A parish history day is an opportunity for a community of faith to come together to tell and hear the stories of God's presence as it has been experienced by those who have lived it. It is a family story, not an historical record. No one tells the same story. Each member brings his/her own unique perspective to the gathering. Once we have shared the past with each other, we are better prepared to discern where God may be leading us in the future."