Rector’s Announcement May 13, 2018
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jer.29)
To serve as your Rector has always been for me, a great joy. When Carole and I came here in late 2012, I indicated that I would likely be able to serve as your Rector for 3-5 years. By this December I will have completed 6 years. I celebrated my 67th birthday last month. After much discussion with Carole and also the Wardens, I have concluded that it is time for me to step aside and make way for someone younger and with fresh new ideas to step up.
I have advised Bishop Nicholls of my desire to retire effective December 31, 2018. (Take note – that is 7 months away.)
Normally the process of seeking a new incumbent to an Anglican Parish begins when the outgoing cleric has left the post. After extensive conversations with me and Trinity’s Executive, Bishop Nicholls has approved a special process for Trinity Sarnia, whereby our search process begins while I am still in place. The purpose of my giving such lengthy notice is to enable the search to begin at once, hopefully eliminating a lengthy gap between Rectors. My retirement will be included in the Bishop’s Notices that go out in tomorrow’s Diocesan ENews. Tomorrow evening, Trinity’s Parish Council will meet – and will elect the Selection Committee. Sometime next week or two the vacant position will be published in an email sent to Anglican Clergy from coast to coast.
Of course, I will not be involved in the process of choosing my successor, however, be assured I will very much be the Rector of this parish until my retirement is effective. There are many things I hope to accomplish during my remaining time with you as your senior pastor.
I must tell you that The Rev. David Matthews, Assistant Priest here, is not eligible to be the next Rector. This is no reflection on his gifts or abilities but simply a reality based on the Anglican way of doing these things. The roles of Rector and Asst. Curate or Assistant Priest are very different. Only someone with the experience of being Priest-in-Charge of a smaller parish would ever be appointed Rector of one of the larger “cardinal parishes” of a Diocese. So, sometime in the coming months we may expect to be saying farewell to our beloved David and Caroline as well.
Changes such as we will work through this year are challenging. Prayer and Trust are needed.
First I call you to prayer – serious and sustained prayer.
For Trinity Church, for your Executive and the Selection Committee,
for God to put it into the heart of the next incumbent to consider a calling to Trinity Church, and for Carole and me as we too move through changes and begin a new phase of life.
Second, I urge you all to trust God and look to see His blessings in every moment. Change in leadership can be perplexing – but it can equally be an amazing opportunity us to see God’s providence. God understands our need, he loves His church, God knows the end from before the beginning. Don’t worry about the change – but rather trust in the God who is greater than all these things.
Trinity is an amazing Community of Hope. I am confident that the Lord already has in mind your next Rector. This morning I announce my planned retirement in full confidence that God “knows the plans he has for me – and for you” – and that these are “plans for our good and not for evil – to give us a future and a hope.”
The Rev. Canon Vicars Hodge
Rector
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jer.29)
To serve as your Rector has always been for me, a great joy. When Carole and I came here in late 2012, I indicated that I would likely be able to serve as your Rector for 3-5 years. By this December I will have completed 6 years. I celebrated my 67th birthday last month. After much discussion with Carole and also the Wardens, I have concluded that it is time for me to step aside and make way for someone younger and with fresh new ideas to step up.
I have advised Bishop Nicholls of my desire to retire effective December 31, 2018. (Take note – that is 7 months away.)
Normally the process of seeking a new incumbent to an Anglican Parish begins when the outgoing cleric has left the post. After extensive conversations with me and Trinity’s Executive, Bishop Nicholls has approved a special process for Trinity Sarnia, whereby our search process begins while I am still in place. The purpose of my giving such lengthy notice is to enable the search to begin at once, hopefully eliminating a lengthy gap between Rectors. My retirement will be included in the Bishop’s Notices that go out in tomorrow’s Diocesan ENews. Tomorrow evening, Trinity’s Parish Council will meet – and will elect the Selection Committee. Sometime next week or two the vacant position will be published in an email sent to Anglican Clergy from coast to coast.
Of course, I will not be involved in the process of choosing my successor, however, be assured I will very much be the Rector of this parish until my retirement is effective. There are many things I hope to accomplish during my remaining time with you as your senior pastor.
I must tell you that The Rev. David Matthews, Assistant Priest here, is not eligible to be the next Rector. This is no reflection on his gifts or abilities but simply a reality based on the Anglican way of doing these things. The roles of Rector and Asst. Curate or Assistant Priest are very different. Only someone with the experience of being Priest-in-Charge of a smaller parish would ever be appointed Rector of one of the larger “cardinal parishes” of a Diocese. So, sometime in the coming months we may expect to be saying farewell to our beloved David and Caroline as well.
Changes such as we will work through this year are challenging. Prayer and Trust are needed.
First I call you to prayer – serious and sustained prayer.
For Trinity Church, for your Executive and the Selection Committee,
for God to put it into the heart of the next incumbent to consider a calling to Trinity Church, and for Carole and me as we too move through changes and begin a new phase of life.
Second, I urge you all to trust God and look to see His blessings in every moment. Change in leadership can be perplexing – but it can equally be an amazing opportunity us to see God’s providence. God understands our need, he loves His church, God knows the end from before the beginning. Don’t worry about the change – but rather trust in the God who is greater than all these things.
Trinity is an amazing Community of Hope. I am confident that the Lord already has in mind your next Rector. This morning I announce my planned retirement in full confidence that God “knows the plans he has for me – and for you” – and that these are “plans for our good and not for evil – to give us a future and a hope.”
The Rev. Canon Vicars Hodge
Rector