St. Mark’s & St. Francis in the Fields

at Priest-in-Charge
Location	Johnstown & Somerset
Date Posted	March 11, 2024
Category	Pittsburgh (Kimberly Karashin)
Job Type	Full Time
Setting	Town
Compensation	According to diocesan guidelines, commensurate with experience
Diocesan Compensation Info	https://www.episcopalpgh.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ClergyLayCompGuide2024-Final.pdf
Health Benefits	Negotiable
Housing	None
Is there a rectory?	No
Equity Allowance	No
Communicants in Good Standing	St. Mark's - 64 ; St. Francis - 38
Average Sunday Attendance	St. Mark's - 17 ; St. Francis - 21
Budget	St. Mark's - $140,599 ; St. Francis - $59,407

Description

Liturgical style and practice

St. Mark's holds Rite II Holy Eucharist on most Sundays and Rite I on fourth Sundays. Music is provided by an organist and choir. A three-octave handbell set is played on special occasions. Lay-led Morning Prayer and Compline are also offered on a semi-regular basis. All services provide both in-person and online options.

St. Francis holds Rite I Holy Eucharist, with hymns from the 1982 Hymnal accompanied by organ or piano. Many services feature a post-Communion anthem sung by a choir of congregants. A rota of Lay Worship Leaders has supplemented Sunday Eucharists with lay-led Morning Prayer during their time of transition. All services provide both in-person and online options.

Strengths

Strong lay leadership.
Active involvement in the life of the Diocese.
St. Mark's: Centrally located in downtown Johnstown, providing opportunities for ministry to downtown neighbors, as well as nearby suburbs.
St. Francis: Well-maintained building and grounds in exquisite country setting.
Leaders of the two parishes have collaborated extremely well throughout the process and have demonstrated respect and care for one another.
Strong support from the Bishop's Office.
The region ... These two parishes are located 30 miles apart on the east side of the scenic Laurel Highlands. Individuals and families in the region have access to a plethora of outdoor activities (such as hiking, fishing, rafting, skiing and biking), historical sites (including three National Park Services sites), higher education, cultural events, the Johnstown Symphony orchestra, and other attractions.

Challenges

Declining and aging membership.
30-minute travel time between parishes can be difficult in winter.
Two distinctly different parishes, with different characters and ministry interests.
This is the first such partnership for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, so it's a learning process for all of us!

Comments

Conversation between St. Mark’s and St. Francis about this shared call began in June 2023. After signing a Covenant of Explorative Partnership, each parish engaged in a self-study process and developed a Parish Profile. Their commitment to the partnership was affirmed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding outlining key aspects of how the parishes would work together, and with the Bishop’s Office, toward a shared call. The people of St. Mark’s and St. Francis in the Fields look forward to welcoming a Priest-in-Charge to join them in this partnership and to guide them in serving God, each other, and their communities.

Find more information here:

https://saintmarksjohnstown.com/our-search-for-a-new-priest/

https://www.saintfrancisinthefields.org/our-search-for-a-new-priest

Contact Information