Christ Church
| Location | Pittsford |
| Date Posted | March 11, 2024 |
| Category |
Rochester (Virginia Tyler Smith)
|
| Job Type |
Full Time
|
| Setting | Suburban |
| Compensation | $120,000 |
| Diocesan Compensation Info | https://www.episcopalrochester.org/sites/default/files/files/resources/2024%20Compensation%20Policy%20and%20Budget%20Guidelines%20%285%29.pdf |
| Health Benefits | Full Family |
| Housing | Housing for 4 |
| Is there a rectory? | Yes |
| If there IS a rectory, is it optional or required that cleric live there? | Optional |
| If there IS a rectory, is the compensation figure above inclusive of fair market value of rectory? | No |
| If there IS a rectory, how many bedrooms and bathrooms? | 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms |
| Equity Allowance | No |
| Communicants in Good Standing | 1185 |
| Average Sunday Attendance | 150 |
| Child Population in Church School | 40 |
| Adult Population in Church School | 30 |
| Teacher Population in Church School | 7 |
| Budget | $565,000 |
Description
Additional comments re: compensation, benefits and housing.
The parish has a rectory directly behind the church. It is currently rented, but could be made available to a new rector.
Liturgical style and practice
Christ Church is broad church with an outstanding music program, a choir of 20 singers (including paid section leaders), and an award winning music director. The parish uses a spoken Rite I liturgy for its early service and Choral Eucharist Rite II for the later service. Youth participate in the service as acolytes, crucifers and occasional readers. Preaching is especially strong.
The parish provides seasonal evensongs and special liturgies, often inviting guest preachers.
Strengths
Christ Church is one of our cardinal parishes, known for its superb preaching, very strong children- and youth- programs, and excellent adult education. The church is in the middle of Rochester's crown jewel suburb, and is walking distance to the historic Erie Canal and a wealth of boutiques and restaurants. The parish has one of the top school districts in the state and boasts a mixture of historic homes, new residential communities and small farms.
This parish has a history of highly-functioning, well regarded clergy. The church is known for careful attention to all aspects of parish life, from liturgy planning to pastoral care.
Challenges
Christ Church is one of our largest, well resourced parishes. What benefits the parish can also be it's stumbling block: because they have a large, highly functioning staff, and because they sit in a prestigious suburb, they have not had to confront the declines, shortages, and charism questions that other parishes face.
At times they seem like a holdover from an earlier time; they need a rector who can help them bridge into the future, speak to the realities of the secular world, acknowledge the changing demographics of our community, and still inspire love in the abiding Christ.
The parish system has a level of anxiety that stems from their perfectionism and the long tenures of superb rectors. Their most recent rector retired due to a health matter, and the parish is still mourning their loss. They have an excellent interim working with them now.
They also have a desire to be more community engaged, and will hope to move in that direction with their next rector.
Comments
This is a great parish for someone who has executive experience, a strong sense of leadership in complex systems and the ability to nudge people into the church of the future.
Contact Information
The Rev. Virginia Tyler Smith
transitions@episcopaldioceseofrochester.org
585-315-6604