Dear friends,

It is with a heavy heart that I share with you my decision to accept a call to become the Rector of All Saints by the Sea in Montecito, CA. This has been a difficult decision for me and my family and one that has involved a great deal of prayer and discussion. At the heart of this decision is a desire for home and a ministry that involves more pastoral contact with parishioners. The unusual circumstances of Covid have made it challenging for me and my family to feel rooted in Austin. It has limited the way we gathered for the first year and a half of my tenure and how me and my family have tried to get to know the community around us. In addition, pastoral ministry is at the heart of my priesthood. It is the core of what I am and what I believe I am called to do. As I have prayed and sought the counsel of others, I feel called to do more of this pastoral work as it is what nourishes me, and my role at Good Shepherd made it difficult to do this regularly.
 
In coordination with the wardens, I will remain at Good Shepherd until the end of the calendar year, and I am glad for that time. During that period, I look forward to embracing you with a sense of hope, gratitude and love. Good Shepherd is an exceptional community. I have been blessed and inspired by the depth of your commitment to one another and to being a place where the loving presence of God is experienced. I have every confidence that you will continue to thrive as a shining light in the Diocese of Texas.
 
Please know that Mary, Olivia, and I are deeply grateful for the love shown to us these past years. As your priest and your friend, I will miss you. We have travelled together through the uncertain times of Covid. We have added incredible clergy to the Good Shepherd team. New programs such as the Farmers Market and Snow Day have helped us further our reputation of being a place where people experience being fully known and fully loved. Our children and youth programs are expanding at a rate that is unimaginable. And we have grown in our sense of being a multi-campus parish. 
 
Good Shepherd is an exceptional parish because of you. Your vestry and your staff will need your commitment and support as they discern your next rector and maintain the growth Good Shepherd is experiencing. I know your participation will remain strong.
 
It has been a great privilege to be your Rector. I have grown as a priest as a result of our time together. While I recognize that this change is unexpected, my family and I would appreciate your prayers as we make this transition. You and your kindness will always remain with me.
 
In gratitude and faith,
Channing
Rector
Dear Good Shepherd Family,

I know that you join me in wishing Channing, Mary, and Olivia well in this next chapter of their lives, and look forward to celebrating Channing’s ministry as we come closer to the time to say farewell. Change can be difficult and comes with a mix of emotions, but change is an integral and expected part of parish life. Each leader that comes and goes adds to the fabric of our community and will always be interwoven into the story of Good Shepherd, and for that we are grateful. We will be sad to see Channing and family leave, but we honor Channing’s call by God to new ministry. We have been greatly enriched by his time with us, and we are hopeful for Channing in his new position and hopeful for the future of Good Shepherd. Channing’s unwavering faith in a God that loves us through all of life has been a true inspiration.

Good Shepherd has been blessed by Channing’s leadership. He led us through the shifting landscape of the pandemic with great faith, steadiness, and concern for the immediate and future welfare of the parish. As we began to gather again, Channing encouraged us to reconnect and renew our commitment to our parish community. Through the implementation of the Ministry Group structure, Channing has invited us all to be ministers of the Church and take our place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church. Vibrant, new ministries such as the Farmer’s Market and the Hill outreach to local schools have begun as Channing has called us to be faithful to our mission of always reaching beyond ourselves as we seek to be in joyful union with God and one another, being fully known and fully loved. 

In his time here, Channing has set us on a firm foundation that will support our parish for years to come. We are a growing, resilient, financially healthy parish. Our greatest strength lies in the unbreakable relationships of love and care that we have for each other. We have an extremely talented and devoted staff which has grown during Channing’s tenure. The vestry will work closely with our staff to ensure continuity and a smooth transition. I and John Pitts, who will be the incoming Senior Warden, have been in contact with the Diocesan Transition Ministry staff and will look forward to sharing with you next steps at the beginning of the new year. Be assured that Good Shepherd will continue to grow and thrive as a powerful witness of the Body of Christ in the world.

During the holiday season, we will focus on giving thanks for Channing’s ministry and celebrating the time we have spent with Channing, Mary, and Olivia; their last Sunday with us will be Christmas Eve, and we will host a reception in their honor prior to that time. Their presence in our midst has been a true gift. Please hold Channing and family and our Good Shepherd Community in your prayers during this time of transition. Your vestry is here to support you during this time so please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

In gratitude and faith,

Sarah Sarahan
Senior Warden