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COMING SOON****PARISH PROFILE****COMING SOON****PARISH PROFILE
From your Search Committee
We have now completed the Planning Phase of our work, i.e. the survey results have been analysed and pertinent information included in our Parish and Priest Profiles. <see search process milestones>
Now that these have been reviewed and approved by the Vestry and Bishop they soon will be published, the Parish Profile right here on the church website, whereas the Priest Profile will just be made available to those applying for the position of Rector of the Church of the Ascension.
Then in September the position of Rector will be advertised in American and British church magazines and electronically via the Church Deployment Office.
After that the next phases of our work will take place – Searching and Choosing, i.e. pre-selection followed by a series of interviews as we narrow down the choice.
As we continue to serve you and the Church in this task we ask as always that you continue to pray for us in our work: that we may be guided by our Lord to make the right choice for His Church in this place.
If you have any comments do not hesitate to contact the search committee by e-mail at search@ascension-munich.com or by mail by hand or post sent to the church office.
David Case
Chairman, CoA Search Committee
What are the main steps / milestones? There are three phases in the search process <see also the Search Committee Charter from the Vestry>
Phase 1 - Planning
We provided a profile of our parish –including a community profile of our location and the history of the Church in Munich as well as our make-up and activities and our strengths and challenges. The bishop led our parish in a retreat on the 12th April to initiate this process. This was followed by a questionnaire to all members of the congregation to supplement this information and ensure we collect a wide and comprehensive range of views in order to present a balanced and fair picture of our parish in Munich.
We developed a Priest profile (what do we want in a pastor/leader/minister?) for potential candidates and for us to compare them with this profile
Phase 2 - Searching
We release an advert and publish information to the congregation and wider world of the church. The search process will involve sifting through the applications from an agreed list of criteria and choosing a sample of around 20 to interview.
Phase 3 –Choosing.
Once interviews have been conducted and a short list has been made up to three candidates will be invited to come to Munich to be interviewed and to preach to the Vestry/Committee – the candidates will still be confidential at this stage
How long will the process take? Being realistic and already looking at time spans of particular activities, at least a year. The real and truthful answer is that the process will take as long as is necessary to find a suitable candidate.
The Search Committee is appointed by the Vestry to complete the search process that will result in the call of a new Rector to Church of the Ascension. The Search Committee is required to follow the guidelines set out in the document “Overview of the Search Process, Convocation of American Churches in Europe”, and work closely with the Bishop.
Through extensive communication and by enquiry and analysis, the Search Committee is required to identify the key characteristics and principal desires of the Church of the Ascension. In so doing, it should take note of our specific environment: the make up of the congregation, the wider community, our mission and outreach, the physical situation including our position as guests of the Emmauskirche, our financial attributes and, of course, our aspirations. These aspects shall be reflected in the Parish Profile and the Priest Profile that together will form important documentary elements of the search process.
In order to permit the Vestry to fulfil its responsibilities, the Search Committee is required to provide a brief report on the progress of the search process each month. In addition, the Parish Profile and the Priest Profile are to be submitted for approval. Similarly, the advertisement for the Rector shall be submitted for approval prior to publishing and the proposed interview process is to be forwarded for endorsement.
The Vestry will advise the Search Committee formally of the range of financial compensation to be offered. When the time comes, the Committee shall forward a clear recommendation to the Vestry in the form of up to three qualified candidates. After prayer and due consideration it will be for the Vestry to call the new Rector.
The Search Committee shall designate representation to liaise with the Vestry. The liaison shall participate in Vestry discussions about the search, providing a “sense of the Vestry” to the Search Committee work and an understanding of the Search Committee’s work to the Vestry.
The period in a church community’s life when there is no permanent Rector can be exciting, exhilarating and, at the same time, daunting and sorrowful. There will be much expectation. It will therefore be extremely important for the Search Committee to communicate frequently and widely. As far as it pertains to potential candidates, the search process is confidential. However, in the main, although the Committee performs a crucial role, the search belongs to the church at large.
The Vestry is delighted that you have agreed to participate in this vital work and looks forward to working with you over the coming months. You shall be in our prayers. May God be your guide, Christ be in your hearts and the Holy Spirit your inspiration.
Approved by the Vestry of The Church of the Ascension, 15 March, 2008.