Compensation is based on 5 years of credited service full SECA and 18K housing allowance

Anglo-Catholic
BCP Rite II

St. Francis is aware of changing worship practices in our church and society.
Although attendance has lagged since the pandemic, we continue to stay
strong in our commitment to find new and engaging ways to fulfill our
mission and spread the Good News.
One positive from the pandemic is our Virtual Connection Ministry. We now
have the skills and technology to facilitate interactive virtual worship,
meetings, and other events thereby making our online experience on par
with onsite participation.
We recognize that we can no longer be “that building” that people just pass
by, not knowing who we are. We recently installed an LED sign in front of
the church to garner more attention. The new sign let’s all who pass by know
what’s going on inside “that building” and makes it clear that “ALL ARE
WELCOME”.
We are striving to better understand and serve the needs of our community.
Seeing a changing demographic, we are now offering Morning Prayer in
Spanish. As we look to reach younger families, we’re updating our music
program to include upbeat piano, guitar, handheld instruments, as well as
organ pieces; and our Sunday School is adaptive to the needs of our
students.

A recent and ongoing challenge has been the replacement of our long-
serving, now retired, rector. The diocese recommended that St. Francis share
a pastoral team with St. Barnabas, Monmouth Junction, in an Affiliation.
Affiliation is not only a new concept for St. Francis, but it is also a new
model in our diocese as well in the wider Episcopal Church. As with any
new concept, especially one of this importance, questions, concerns, fears
and confusion arose. We dealt with these problems by being transparent and
open with the congregation about the process and the new arrangement of
sharing clergy.

Two joint SF/SB committees were formed: one to create a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) and a subsequent Discernment Committee to
evaluate pastoral candidates. Updates on the progress of our committees are
shared regularly with our parishes.
One year into the process, we have learned that while there can be
disagreements during the work of these committees, both parishes rely on
the Holy Spirit and conduct themselves collegially to resolve any conflicts.
We’re also learning more about each other by attending events/functions at
each other’s parishes.

St Francis Dunellen is affiliated with St Barnabas Monmouth Junction. These two congregations are the most inclusive, gender affirming and racially diverse congregations in our diocese. They each have a strong commitment to the gospel mission to seek and serve Christ in all people without exception. Come and see what future church looks like with two vibrant congregations.

Please contact The Rev. Canon Joanne Izzo, Transition Officer, jizzo@dioceseofnj.org or 609- 460-5408 to submit cover letter, OTM Portfolio, resume, and responses to Clergy Questionnaire found on the diocesan website at: http://dioceseofnj.org/transition-ministry