2 weeks vacation, 1 week continuing education.

St. George's has a broad church style in a flexible, contemporary meeting space. They follow RITE II and take most of their liturgy from the BCP and hymns from Hymnal 1982 and LEVAS. They have a small, devoted choir and are interested in adding more modern hymnody and prayers. Their worship space is flexible and accessible. They hold one service on Sundays.

St. George's is an increasingly progressive parish in a socially and religiously conservative community.  They are deliberate in their sense of call, and their desire to open conversations on inclusion, hospitality, and justice. They are the only parish in their community to exhibit a pride flag. They dedicated a large part of their property to gardens for the local food cupboard. Each person at St. George's finds a place to express their ministry--including their new choir, seasonal artistic installations, pastoral ministry, and food! They appreciate the skills and gifts that each person bring to the table. They recognize that growth involves risk taking and letting go, and they are open to new ideas and opportunities.

St. George's is located within a couple of miles of Lake Ontario, in a quickly growing area of the county.  The school district is quite good, and the community itself is migrating from largely farming to being a bedroom community for Rochester.

St. George's moved to and built their current church 40 years ago, after the city of Rochester took their former church through eminent domain. Most of the persons who moved from the original, urban setting have since passed on, but they carry that displaced sense in their ethos.  There is always a feeling that they are not quite settled, not quite done building or inhabiting their space.  The space itself is not optimal to their current needs, but they flex with it.

St.George's is very much a family parish, and they are bumping up against the desire to take on more with an ever-aging congregation.  Their members have a lot of loss and personal difficulty in the last couple of years, adding to their sense of fatigue. They need a priest who is as pastoral as they are visionary.

St. George's is a gem of a parish for someone who likes to live in a semi-rural setting, with only a 10 minute drive to all major amenities. This congregation is used to operating with clergy who are not physically present all the time. They would do well with a bi-vocational priest. They also have a desire to become more active in the larger church. They are an eager, welcoming, and very loving group committed to the parish and to Jesus!

The Rev. Virginia Tyler Smith

transitions@episcopaldioceseofrochester.org

585-315-6604