St. Thomas’ Parish in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, DC is receiving applications for the position of Rector. The parish profile is now listed on Vocation Hub, and applications are open until Friday, September 18.
We ask for God’s guidance for both our vestry and for the candidates throughout the next stages of this process.
We’re setting up a team of parish bakers so we can continue to offer homemade communion bread on Sundays. Rev. Linda Kaufman shared her bread recipe before heading out of town for vacation! If you’re interested in being part of this project, speak with Dan Costello or Jason Forman.
The vestry is now in the phase of working on the profile we’ll post online to help potential applicants see if St. Thomas’ might be a good place for the next stage of their ministry. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to move toward receiving applications and then beginning to interview candidates.
We’d also like to share that the Rev. Linda Kaufman, who’s given so generously of her time and her heart since Lisa left in November, has decided that the time has come to step down from her official interim clergy position. She will continue in the role through July and take a long-planned vacation in August. From August 2 until we have a new rector in place, we’ll welcome several terrific priests (including Linda from time to time!) to our altar and pulpit on Sundays. Deacon Susan Walker will also play an important role, helping provide pastoral care as needs arise. We are so thankful for Linda’s caring, steadfast, and creative presence throughout these months, and also that she’ll still be part of our community. We may see her less often, but she will always have a home at St. Thomas’ Parish. – Elizabeth Terry, Senior Warden, and Dan Costello, Junior Warden
At the end of July, when I leave for vacation, I will have been here 9 months – long enough to have a baby, but alas, like Sarah and Abraham, I am beyond the age of child-bearing. Our nine months together have been fruitful and fun. I can feel if a congregation loves me as I preach. And when I feel that love, I am a better preacher. I feel as though I have never preached as well or as often as I have here. I have learned to be more open and honest – and you have loved me. Thank you. – The Rev. Linda Kaufman
Canon Anna Olson recently wrote a brief article for the diocesan website explaining how the Episcopal Diocese of Washington manages rector transitions. Check it out!
This prayer was written by the Rev. Linda Kaufman, and we have been saying it together on Sundays.
Gracious God, thank you for calling us to St. Thomas’ Parish.
We ask you to guide us in this time as we look for a new rector.
Help us be faithful in this time of preparation and make us ready for a new leader.
Give wisdom to our wardens and vestry as they lead this holy work.
We ask you to help us find the right person, and that even now you would be preparing them for this new work.
We pray all this in the name of our Good Shepherd, Jesus.
Amen.
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