Final Thoughts from the Interim Rector

 

Dear Members of St. John’s,

Nearly a year ago, on September 22nd, 2021, I was asked to step in and serve as your interim rector. This was an unexpected transition for all of us, but looking back over this past year, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for having had the opportunity to be the chief shepherd of St. John’s during this time.  

During this past year, we have accomplished a lot together.  We have almost reached the goal of $2 million in pledges for the Light Capital Campaign and the entire windows restoration project is well on its way to being completed within the next six months, if not sooner.  You also exceeded the stewardship 2022 goal and reversed the 10- year declining pledge trendline.  These are signs that you have great faith and hope for the future of St. John’s.

We’ve also returned to all our pre-pandemic activities, to include a very successful Bazaar and a great Lenten Speaker Series on Mental Health and Spiritual Wellness.  We’ve also upgraded parts of our sound system.  New carpet has been installed in the first-floor office area and much needed repairs have been done on various parts of the building, to include the iron gates to the columbarium, labyrinth and playground, roof, steeple, and parts of the breezeway.  We have also successfully dealt with three major water leaks, which have caused thousands of dollars of damage.  We have a new website, a new data base, and our financial records are now fully computerized.  We also conducted a full audit of our financials for the first time in over 10 years. These are only some of the outward and tangible signs of activity that the parish has undertaken. The sustained effort of generous giving and care for our historic building reflects the obvious love each of you has for this church.  However, it is perhaps the internal changes of the parish for which I am most grateful.   

It was obvious to all of us that my taking on the interim rector role as the only clergy person on staff was unsustainable if the parish continued to operate in a heavily ‘rector centric’ way.  As a result, I have observed many of our lay leaders, especially our vestry, take more active leadership and ownership of the parish.  I hope we have moved the needle a little bit in the direction of helping the vestry feel that they have more meaningful input and see themselves as partners in ministry with the rector.  Our major lay ministries are operating very smoothly with little rector oversight under dedicated lay leadership, e.g.  the Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers (Kat Dailey); Lay Eucharistic Visitors (Rosa Davis); Pastoral Care (Debbie Schremser and Team); Altar Guild (Chuck Moore); DOK (Melissa Carter); Men’s Breakfast Brigade (Richard Bradford); ECW (Betsy Cannon) and Outreach (Charlie Harris).  

I have always held the belief that the main role of a priest is to “equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the Body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12) by offering pastoral counsel, administering the sacraments, and providing Christian education and scripturally based sermons to encourage everyone to find their own vocations.  Because you all have embraced your various vocations within the church, you have freed me up to focus on these things over the past year and we’ve had a successful journey together.  I feel we have all grown during this past year and I am deeply grateful to all of you, especially to the staff (past and present): Anne, Heather, Sarah, Victoria, Joel, Mike, Myron, and Joleen; and to the Wardens during my tenure: Radney Ramsey, Will Hill Tankersley, Jr., and William Haynes.  I have felt tremendously supported over this past year and have never felt like I was in this alone.

Many of you have asked, “What’s next for Deonna?”  The answer is, “I don’t know yet.”  I am in the process of discerning what my next steps will be.  But whatever path may unfold, I am grateful to have the freedom to discern that direction, while remaining here with all of you and leaning into my role as chief supporter of our new rector, Duncan Johnston. 

In this light, I think it is important to point out that Duncan is stepping into an unusual situation, i.e., with Robert (a former rector) as a member of the parish, and me (a former interim) staying on as an associate while preparing for my own transition.  It will be a unique transition for Duncan, for me, for the staff, and for all of you.  And, as you all know, leadership transitions are often delicate matters.  They can be rough if not approached thoughtfully and with great personal and spiritual generosity, as well as humble and honest communication.  I am very confident that we will all be able to manage this transition smoothly and with much grace.  I know Duncan is eager to get started and forming relationships with all of you.

Thanks again to all of you for the abundance of love and support you have shown to me, not only over this past year, but also since the moment I arrived at St. John’s in September of 2017.  We’ve had a remarkable journey together over these past 5 years, and I will look forward to the days and weeks ahead as well.  I remain yours,

In Christ,
Deonna+