Parish Transition

PARISH TRANSITION UPDATES

As of Pentecost 2025, the search process is in the Active Phase. 

The Search Committee meets on average twice each month. Since January, we have developed a set of questions to use when entering conversation with and interviewing candidates. We are in varying stages of interview, onsite visits and narrowing candidates. 

We discern with the candidates the call to work and serve the St. Stephen’s community. We operate by consensus. This phase of the search process is active for the committee, but quiet for the congregation. 

The congregation and staff can feel very good about the work we do together as a community and how attractive this leadership opportunity is. The Search committee is confident the Holy Spirit will reveal to us and to the person God has called. 

We are all invited to trust the process and trust the Holy Spirit. 

The congregation and staff can continue to be helpful in meaningful and indirect ways:

1. Share. Continue to talk about this with your friends and circles of peers. Share the profile.

2. Pray. Pray for the Search Committee for discernment and wisdom. The members are: Raul Avila, Steve Bretthauer, Zack Coapland, Tyler Darnell, Jaime Espinoza, Nancy Goodearl, David Kelley, Wil McCorquodale, John Rovell, Bill Wooton, Laura Thewalt who serves as Chair and Lucy Cockrum, Senior Warden who filled a vacancy. Please use the collect written for us. Pray for the person God is calling to St. Stephen’s. Pray for one another.

3. Be patient and trust the process.

4. Encourage one another.

5. Maintain your active engagement at St. Stephen’s — a vibrant parish is attractive to prospective clergy. We’ve learned they have all watched our worship services. 

To connect with the Search Committee, please reach out to Laura Thewalt.