St. David's Church, Gales FerryRector |
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Date Posted |
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Diocese |
Connecticut (Rev. Lee Ann Tolzmann)
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Location |
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Position Type |
3/4 Time
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Position Details
Setting | Suburban |
Compensation | Will meet diocesan guidelines. |
Health Benefits | Full Family |
Housing | Housing Allowance |
Equity Allowance | Negotiable |
Parish Profile
Communicants in Good Standing | 164 |
Average Sunday Attendance | 78 |
Child Population in Church School | 24 |
Adult Population in Church School | 20 |
Teacher Population in Church School | 10 |
Budget | $287,148 |
Broad Church | yes |
Morning Prayer | yes |
Prayer Book | yes |
Rite I | yes |
Rite II | yes |
Strengths
Our strengths, expanded during the past few years, are based on dedication and enthusiasm of our lay leadership. We have embraced program opportunities ranging from Christian Formation to helping the community; for example, Homeless Hospitality Center, Ledyard Food Bank, TVCCA, etc. These programs have been supported by strong laity participation. Likewise, our church music program is a strong suit in supporting our worship. Senior and junior choirs plus senior and junior bell ringers, along with a variety of musical instruments complement both regular and special church services. Our outreach funds are dedicated to many organizations and agencies. Full support for the ecumenical Emmaus program for teens involves more than fifteen percent of our active parishioners. And finally, we strive to provide a welcoming atmosphere for guests and newcomers to the parish to assist them in becoming active members of our congregation.
Challenges
One challenge is that we could do better in stewardship by more balance commitment of the financial aspect throughout the year. Another is that there is a tendency, through strongly formed groups typical in churches, to fall into social clicks at Sunday coffee hour. This challenge needs to be overcome by concentrated attention to new members and visitors to Saint David’s. A small cadre of greeters and “welcomers” is successful in this responsibility, but we need growth in more universal support. We also need to pay more attention to marketing our worship community and programs to the local geographic area.
Comments
We are ready to move ahead after a long period of healing under the leadership of a Priest in Charge. Our last Rector’s autocratic leadership style had invited conflict and division and loss of members. We now know what holds us together as Saint David’s – our life in Christ- and we look forward to working with a collaborative ordained leader who will walk with us into the future to which God is calling us. The world needs the Gospel today more than ever, and we are equipped and ready to share it.
We adhere to the Episcopal Church in Connecticut compensation guidelines, which can be found in the Treasurers' Newsletter here.
Visit St. David's website here.
Visit how to apply for positions in ECCT here.
Contact Information
The Rev. Canon Lee Ann Tolzmann
ECCT, 290 Pratt St. Box 52
203-639-3501 EXT. 115