January 31, 2023
Dear people of Saint Stephen’s,
Three years ago, on January 11, 2020, Father Stephen began serving us as our full-time rector. Today was his last day in that position. As announced at the beginning of September 2022, due to the fiscal situation of our congregation, he felt the most prudent thing to do was to become a half-time priest. This was not an easy decision, nor one he took lightly. However, continuing in the status quo would have simply delayed the inevitable and further drained the congregation of its resources.
You might be wondering what this new arrangement will look like as we go forward. First, to be honest, we are still working out many details. This is somewhat uncharted territory for Father Stephen and for Saint Stephen’s. We do know that our bishop believes that part-time ministry must mean part-time. Accordingly, the norm will likely be that Father Stephen will be presiding over Holy Eucharist three out of four Sundays in a month. The remaining Sunday will be Morning Prayer led by our wonderful lay worship leaders. Additionally, Father Stephen’s office hours will go from three days a week to two – for now, they will be on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Father Stephen made the decision for this change to go into effect on February 1, 2023, because he thought it was important to have the annual meeting beforehand. That way people would have the opportunity to provide feedback and have questions answered.
The shift to a part-time rector is projected to save the congregation (via reduced stipend and pension obligations) $29,520 in 2023. Approximately $11,500 of that savings comes from him finding health coverage elsewhere. That is not the only place we reduced the budget for 2023. The vestry decided that another economical move was to reduce the number of Sundays when we have Sean playing music for worship. Everyone is tremendously grateful for Sean’s musical talent and wisdom. However, given the shift to Morning Prayer once a month, it was thought we could save a little more money by not having music on those Sundays. Accordingly, our budget for music for 2023 was reduced by about $1,000. The vestry decided there was no need to reduce the hours of our parish administrator because she already works well under the number of hours allotted in her letter of agreement. These changes make a dent in our deficit but have not eliminated it.
Going forward, we must make dramatic changes and be open to radical ideas. As mentioned at the annual meeting a few weeks ago, the first goal should be to grow the church. That is one of our most important duties as followers of Christ. Beyond that, there are some possibilities… but none are easy or quick. If we wish to remain a worshiping community with a professionally educated and equipped priest, things must change immediately.
Tomorrow, February 1, Father Stephen will still be our priest. That is not changing. All of you remain in his thoughts and prayers, constantly. If you call him, he will still answer. If you email him, he will still respond. He will still be available for emergencies.
As we look to what comes next, we need your help. And so, as we continue to live into this new reality, we ask for your continued prayer and support for our community and for Father Stephen as he seeks part-time secular employment. We also ask you consider what you can do to help grow our church and better serve our community.
Finally, we leave you with a prayer for our parish which will remain in our Prayers of the People for some time:
Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Yours in Christ,
The Wardens and Rector of Saint Stephen’s
