St. James welcomes all.

To the folks at St James—

I can’t thank you enough for the “going away” honors when I was in Clinton for the last time as supply priest.
Thanks for the warm wishes and prayers, and for the gifts of the 2 stoles, one received Saturday evening, and the other on Sunday morning, presented by the children.

Thanks especially for being yourselves—

It has been a great gift to be part of the life of your parish over the past several months. We laughed together, sometimes cried together, and shared the great gift of the Eucharist together.  While our time together was brief, I will always cherish it!

The next rector will be truly fortunate to be with you!

Thanks and God bless!

-- Pete Williams

It’s Been Nice to Be with You

As many of you know, I have accepted an invitation to be priest-in-charge at Grace Church, Cortland.  I have been a supply priest at St James for several months, and have greatly enjoyed being part of your congregation during that time.  I am deeply grateful for the warm welcome you have given me.  I understand that some of you are wondering about why I am going to Cortland, so I want to explain how the seemingly mysterious process of clergy placement happens in the Episcopal Church.

There are supply priests, priests-in-charge, interims, and rectors.  The supply priests “fill-in” on a weekend by weekend basis.  Interim priests are in a parish for a set period of transition, usually a couple of years.  During the interim, a parish does a self study, led by the Interim priest, and develops a renewed vision of its mission.  The Interim is NOT considered for the rector position.  A priest-in-charge is hired for a three year term, and is also charged with leading the parish through a vigorous discernment and renewal process.  After two years, the parish can call that person to be rector.  Your parish has already been doing the transitional process that normally would have been led by an interim.  St James is now beginning the search for a new rector, which includes making the parish profile available nationwide, and is committed to that process.

In December 2009, one part of my ministry in the diocese, the New Ministry Project, came to an end, and I began to look for another part- time position to do alongside ministry with the Deaf.  You should know that your parish leaders did invite me to consider taking on a transitional pastoral role at St James, a sort of interim placement…Cortland, on the other hand, was just beginning a search for either an interim or a priest-in-charge.  For me, it was basically a matter of timing.  This has certainly not come about because I think there is anything wrong with Clinton—far from it!  The Cortland position offered a stable ministry for me which was going to be quickly available, and it seemed to be a good fit for me.

Now your parish will focus on calling a new rector.  I will bet that you will have at least a couple dozen clergy apply.  You will find someone really wonderful, if you know who you are called to be as a parish and what you are looking for!  Have no fear!  And thanks to all of you for your great affirmation of my ministry while I have been in your midst!

--Pete Williams