Many parishioners turned out for a potluck luncheon held in the parish hall following Morning Prayer on Sunday, July 18. The two draws were the wide variety of dishes brought in and shared by all, and a group discussion covering the ongoing search for our new priest.
The food, as usual, was spectacular. Fried chicken was provided and was supplemented with homemade casseroles, heaping dishes of garden-fresh vegetables, and freshly baked pies and cakes and cobblers.
Once we were all well fed and had visited with our table
mates, Senior Warden Richard Camp brought us up to date on the search
committee’s efforts. He said a parish
profile is being developed for potential candidates, describing the
Pittsylvania, Chatham and Emmanuel communities.
He also told us about two leads: a priest out of Orange County that Choirmaster & Organist Kenyon Scott had heard was considering relocation, and another in Greensboro, North Carolina that the Diocese of Southern Virginia believed might be leaving that city.
Finally, Richard presented a generic “wish list” of attributes as the starting point for a discussion about what we hoped for in a priest. Those present discussed that list and many other ideas. Richard took the consensus opinions “back to the drawing board” to incorporate into our listing for the position opening.
The vestry search committee was scheduled to meet again with
a diocesan official the following Sunday, July 25, after Holy Communion,
celebrated by The Reverend Jim Mathieson who is kindly filling in for us twice
a month until we call a permanent priest.