Clergy Transition
On May 29th, our wonderful Rector, Rev. Jenny announced her intent to retire from her call as our Rector effective August 3, 2025
The St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods Vestry, in collaboration with the Diocese of Olympia, has initiated the Rector transition process.
Your Vestry commits to make the transition process transparent with frequent updates to the congregation on both process milestones and general progress, plus encourage active participation by the congregation in various process elements.
Supported by the Holy Spirit, blessed with God’s abundance, and benefiting from Rev. Jenny’s leadership for nearly three years, St. A’s is on the move. While we will dearly miss our beloved, Rev. Jenny, this is an opportunity to grow in the abundance of God’s love for this place and our mutual grace and support in a time of transition.
If you have any questions, please contact a Vestry member.
July 2, 2025 Update to the Congregation
Dear Friends,
Yesterday, the Rev. Canon Cristi Chapman joined us in Campbell Hall to describe the clergy transition journey we are on, the resources and support we receive from the Diocese, and answer questions from those present. Canon Chapman described four stages churches go through when traversing a clergy transition:
Stage One: The announcement of a rector's intention to step down, embracing all that comes with that--sadness, grief, gratitude, and reflection on shared accomplishments. After a period of time in the stage, the Vestry determines the form of call to pursue–an interim priest or a priest-in-charge. St. A's is in Stage One.
Stage Two: At this stage, the church determines who we are, our priorities for the future, what we have built together and what we continue to grow into. At this stage the Vestry develops a mini-profile in collaboration with the congregation. The profile is then posted via the Diocesan platforms and, if wished, nationally via the Episcopal News Service.
Stage Three: Informed by congregational input, the Vestry acting as the search committee receives the names and materials of interested clergy. All applicants are first screened by the Bishop's office to ensure they forward qualified applicants without prior actions that would preclude their ability to serve. The Vestry makes the selection and extends the call with the Bishop's approval.
Stage Four: Celebrating and welcoming the new priest and beginning the process of developing our mutual ministry together.
We are on a good path and with God's grace, we journey on together.
Peace for the journey,
Brad, Senior Warden
PS. If you would like to see these stages in visual form, click the button below.
Announcement of our form of Call
On Monday, June 30th, your Vestry met to consider the question of which form of call we believe would be best for St. A's as we move toward transition. The Vestry reviewed the details and opportunity of each form of call: An Interim Priest or a Priest-in-Charge. We also reviewed the insights provided by Canon Chapman when she visited the Vestry on June 17th.
Our meeting opened with a meditation on God's faithfulness in times of change offered by our Clerk, Frank Shirbroun and our "Ebenezer Stone" remained in the center of the table--a reminder that "Thus far the Lord has helped us.” [1 Samuel 7:12]
We took extended time to prayerfully reflect which form of call will best ensure St. A's continues to flourish in all the ways we have grown and thrived under Rev. Jenny's leadership and how a new priest can help us move deeper into our missional call. We also reflected on feedback from the congregational forums held on June 1st and 22nd, input in the "Wonder Box," and conversations with parish members.
The Vestry voted unanimously to pursue a call for a Priest-in-Charge and forwarded that decision to the Canon to the Ordinary. We believe this form of call ensures that the amazing work Rev. Jenny has helped build here at St. A's continues forward at this time of vital needs for our church, our community, and our world.
With gratefulness for God's steadfast love and the extraordinary ministry of Rev. Jenny among us, may God continue to guide us as we take the next steps in pursuing our next priest.
Respectfully submitted,
Brad, Senior Warden
Mark Anderson, Bryan Avila, Junior Warden, Ron Costeck, Grant Heiken, Sue Idso, Elaine Ludtke, Maureen Masterson, Patti Muncey, Nanette Rosenthal, Treasurer, Frank Shirbroun, Clerk
July 1, 2205 Update to the Congregation
Announcement of our form of Call
On Monday, June 30th, your Vestry met to consider the question of which form of call we believe would be best for St. A's as we move toward transition. The Vestry reviewed the details and opportunity of each form of call: An Interim Priest or a Priest-in-Charge. We also reviewed the insights provided by Canon Chapman when she visited the Vestry on June 17th.
Our meeting opened with a meditation on God's faithfulness in times of change offered by our Clerk, Frank Shirbroun and our "Ebenezer Stone" remained in the center of the table--a reminder that "Thus far the Lord has helped us.” [1 Samuel 7:12]
We took extended time to prayerfully reflect which form of call will best ensure St. A's continues to flourish in all the ways we have grown and thrived under Rev. Jenny's leadership and how a new priest can help us move deeper into our missional call.
With unanimous support, the Vestry has voted to pursue a call for a Priest-in-Charge and forwarded that decision to the Canon to the Ordinary.
With gratefulness for God's steadfast love and the extraordinary ministry of Rev. Jenny among us, may God continue to guide us as we take the next steps in pursuing our next priest.
Peace for the journey,
Brad, Senior Warden
June 25th Update to the Congregation
Dear Friends,
We had a rich discussion at last Sunday's Forum. The conversation was grounded in our individual gratitude for what makes St. A's such a special place. These characteristics of our faith community and the experiences that draw us closer to God and each other are what is foundational as we look ahead to our clergy transition. With that as our grounding, we then shared questions about the type of call processes will best support our growing and vibrant faith community.
Rev. Jenny brought that home in her sermon. Yes, "earthquakes" and other "rattling events" open up spaces. I took to heart Rev. Jenny's question: "What is cracking open to reveal what is foundational to this community?"
For each of us, and for your Vestry, this is an important question to ask as we move in and through change--what is foundational? We start with the pervasive love of God and the abundant gifts of this community as our home base.
Peace for the journey,
Brad, Senior Warden
+++
NOTE THIS SPECIAL DATE
Tuesday, July 1 Clergy Transition Forum
4:30 PM to 5:30 PM in Campbell Hall
The Rev. Canon Cristi Chapman, Canon to the Ordinary, will come to St. A’s for a late afternoon Forum. This forum is open to everyone at St. Augustine's. The Forum will be live-streamed and recorded. All are welcome!
+++
Vestry ad hoc Committees on Mission Statement and Organizational Systems
The work of both committees is well underway. This work is complementary and running parallel to our process of clergy transition.
Mission Statement ad hoc Vestry committee next meets on July 8th. Again, the purpose is to refresh and clarify our mission statement in order to guide decisions, to guide gratitude and generosity, and to affirm the abundance, impact, growth, connections, support, celebration, and unleashing gifts of the Spirit.
Organizational Systems ad hoc Vestry committee next meets on July 9th. The intent of the work is to make sure we are best organized to accomplish our mission as a church, support and unleash ministries, ensure responsible stewardship of our resources, and model a key aspect of a faith community–we are connected, the beloved community accountable to each other.
+++
Special Meeting of the Vestry
Monday, June 30th, 5:00 PM Campbell Hall
Your Vestry will be meeting to address the type of call process (Interim or Priest-in-Charge) as we move toward our clergy transition.
June 18th Update to the Congregation
Dear Friends,
In her sermon last Sunday, the Rev. Mary Green reminded us of the persistent and pervasive love of God.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Romans 8:38-39]
It is this love that guides us as we move through this Summer and the transitions in front of us. Supported by God’s love, here are a few updates.
At last night's June Vestry Meeting, The Rev. Canon Cristi Chapman (Canon to the Ordinary) met with the Vestry by Zoom to discuss the next steps in the transition, explain the Vestry’s role, and outline the resources available to us from the Diocese. Canon Chapman described the full process, the experiences of other parishes in navigating the transition process, and went into detail about the next decisions the Vestry will make about which type of call process will be right for St. A’s. In brief, there are two types:
INTERIM PRIEST. Interim processes typically take 9-24 months. An Interim process is recommended for large and complex systems that have the capacity to self-examine and the resources to mount a church wide search or ones that would benefit from a longer period of self-examination and consideration of their future mission. The church wide search process is what St. A’s used last time with the extensive process of an appointed Profile Committee followed by a Search Committee, who at the end of the process recommends a candidate to the Vestry.
PRIEST-IN-CHARGE. A priest-in-charge process typically takes 36 months. This process is reserved for situations when the congregation and priest candidates both want the stability of a 3-year contract and are willing to seriously consider entering into a rector role. In a Priest-in-Charge process, the congregation studies itself in the context of developing a Mutual Ministry Agreement with the priest-in-charge, rather than developing a Parish Profile to secure a rector or vicar. The congregation, vestry, and priest discern together whether or not a call of rector should be extended. This type of call process is more common in the Diocese of Olympia.
Sunday, June 22 Forum. There will be an Adult Forum between services (9:15 AM to 10:00 AM) led by Rev. Jenny and Brad. The purpose of this forum is to continue our parish conversation about the transition. The Forum will be livestreamed and recorded for those unable to come.
NOTE THIS SPECIAL DATE: Tuesday, July 1 Forum. The Rev. Canon Cristi Chapman will return to St. A’s for a late afternoon Forum opportunity to engage with all in our St. A’s community. This session will be from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM in Campbell Hall. The Forum will be livestreamed and recorded. All are welcome!
Tuesday, June 10 Mission Statement ad hoc Vestry committee. The Committee began work on Tuesday to refresh and clarify our mission statement. The committee discussed how a new Mission Statement be used including: To guide decisions, to guide gratitude and generosity, and to affirm the abundance, impact, growth, connections, support, celebration, and unleashing gifts of the Spirit.
Wednesday, June 11 Organizational Systems ad hoc Vestry committee. The committee began its work on Wednesday centered on clarifying the purposes for this work including such outcomes as: Making sure we are best organized to accomplish our mission as a church, support and unleash ministries, ensure responsible stewardship of our resources, and model a key aspect of a faith community–we are connected, the beloved community accountable to each other.
[Both of these ad hoc committees are working on a three-month timeline and the intended outcomes are well-timed to support us and carry us into our new chapters in the fall.]
Peace for the journey,
Brad, Senior Warden
June 11th Update to the Congregation
Dear Friends,
A few updates for you regarding the work of your Vestry and transition planning this summer. As Rev. Jenny noted in last Sunday’s sermon, we’re all in this “liminal space,” the threshold between what is and what is to come.
● Tuesday, June 10 Vestry planning. After many months of work on what it means to be a mission-driven church and the uniqueness of our opportunities on Whidbey Island, an ad hoc committee of the Vestry began work on Tuesday to refresh and clarify our mission statement.
● Wednesday, June 11 Vestry planning. Similarly, the Vestry has spent well over a year asking key questions about how we can best be organized to support our mission and the ministries of St. A’s as we grow. This ad hoc committee begins its work this evening!
○ Both of these ad hoc committees are working on a three-month timeline and the intended outcomes are well-timed to support us and carry us into our new chapters in the fall.
● Tuesday, June 17 Monthly Vestry Meeting at 5:00 PM. The Rev. Canon Cristi Chapman (now recovered from COVID) will be meeting with the Vestry (by Zoom) to discuss the next steps in the transition, explain the Vestry’s role, and outline the resources available to us from the Diocese.
● Sunday, June 22 Forum. There will be an Adult Forum between services (9:15 AM to 10:00 AM) led by Rev. Jenny and Brad. The purpose of this forum is to continue our parish conversation about the transition. The Forum will be livestreamed and recorded for those unable to come.
● Tuesday, July 1 Forum. The Rev. Canon Cristi Chapman will return to St. A’s for a late afternoon Forum opportunity to engage with all in our St. A’s community. This session will be from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM in Campbell Hall. The Forum will be livestreamed and recorded. All are welcome!
Peace for the journey,
Brad, Senior Warden
June 4th Update to the Congregation
As we move toward this time of transition, sharing our hopes and dreams, concerns and questions, feelings and wonders is an important part of our community life. As one aid to sharing, we will have in the Narthex a “Wonder Box” starting this Sunday. This is a great idea that came out of last Sunday’s Forum.
On Sunday (really anytime) you can write your thoughts and wonders on the slips next to the box and drop it in! Having this available on Sunday ensures we “don’t forget to share that thought” but also prioritize our Sunday mornings for shared worship and fellowship.
Looking forward to hearing what’s on your mind and heart through this and the other means of sharing we will use this summer.
Blessings,
Rev. Jenny and Brad
May 29, 2025
Rev. Jenny’s Leaving Letter to the Congregation
May 29, 2025
Dear Beloved People of St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods,
I was called to this amazing, heart-centered community in the fall of 2022. It has been the gift of my 30-plus ordained years as a priest to serve alongside you. I am writing today to let you know that I am planning on retiring from my call as your rector. My last Sunday with you will be August 3.
As many of you know, Stewart retired a year ago. Stewart has spent a lot of this past year here, which has brought me great joy. We have realized that we have been engaged in a discernment process that is different from the one we thought we were engaged in. Instead of trying to figure out immediate next steps regarding where to live on Whidbey, we have discerned that next steps begin with my stepping back from my role as rector of St. Augustine’s. I love being a priest and, more specifically, I love being your priest. Yet, I don’t doubt what Stewart and I have discerned.
In the past two and a half years, I have learned from each of you, individually, and from all of you, collectively. Every day, I see the heart and commitments of this community in action, including your:
● unwavering stance on inclusion;
● stewardship of the land and all creatures;
● steadfast vision for justice and outreach;
● embrace of a wide range of spiritual expressions and experiences;
● unbounded wonder for beauty in music, art, and nature;
● grounding in worship;
● And, most importantly, your generous love for Christ incarnate, made visible in all people and this place.
I believe that St. Augustine’s in-the-Woods, more than ever, is prepared to meet the challenges of these times, this moment we are in, with abundant hope and purpose.
During the next two-plus months, we will continue to share in ministry, celebrate what we have learned, and express our hopes and dreams for next steps. Indeed, all of that is part of our joint ministry in the months ahead.
With deep, unending gratitude to you all,
Jenny+