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IN PREPARATION OF MY DEPARTURE
Dear wonderful people and friends of Resurrection,
It is important that you know my responsibilities upon leaving as your Rector. Below are policy bullets from the Diocese for all clergy who are leaving a call away from parish ministry. These actions are not intended to be hurtful or harsh and are very important so that other clergy who will be called will have all the benefit of getting to know you and you to build a relationship with them.
Know I love you, and I will continue to pray for the parish and the new wonderful journey it has ahead of it!
Clergy leave-taking policy: Diocese of West Missouri
Lord, you have apportioned to your people the manifold gifts of the Spirit: Grant amid the changes of the world that your Church may abide, and be strengthened in ministry through continuous outpouring of your gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Book of Occasional Services 2018, pg. 321
Introduction
A good beginning depends on a good ending. Your congregation’s ability to call your successor and move forward successfully in ministry with them depends greatly on how well you leave as well as on your ability to let go. Your character and integrity are demonstrated in how you leave a position.
The expectation in The Diocese of West Missouri is that clergypersons (particularly those in charge of congregations) should keep the highest degree of separation possible from the congregation which they are leaving, for at least two years. This period may be extended or abbreviated at the bishop’s discretion.
The clergyperson should not attend worship or parish activities during this time at the congregation from which they have departed. Contact with former parishioners should be restrained and at no time are conversations with them regarding the congregation appropriate. These expectations are for both the clergy person and their spouse/family.
After this period the clergyperson may return to the parish only at the initiative and invitation of the current rector or priest-in-charge.
All clergypersons have a duty to serve the best interests of the parish as well as to follow the pastoral direction of the bishop.
For the Priest who is leaving:
Help Your Congregation Have a Strong Relationship with Their Next Clergyperson
- Arrange for change of address and mail forwarding.
- After your last day, do not return to the office to check for mail, e‐mail, or phone messages.
- In all cases, the responsibility belongs to clergy leaving to make clear that the pastoral relationship has ended.
- Never be involved with the search process including giving names or offering opinions about candidates.
- Avoid getting triangulated with members of the congregation and your successor.
- Be clear that it is not appropriate for you to discuss any parish business after you leave.
- Make plans to worship with another congregation.
- If you continue to live in the community, do all in your power to allow the next clergyperson to minister as if you did not live there.
- Make plans to worship at another church.
- In the absence of a rector or interim pastor, the wardens are canonically responsible for the worship, finance, property, and administration of the parish.
- Remember, you have no official or canonical role in the parish you leave and your priestly, pastoral, and administrative functions there end on the effective date of your retirement or resignation.
- Be clear that your spouse/family will also be leaving and will no longer be involved in the life of the congregation.
- Remove yourself from all pastoral conversations with former parishioners via social media or in any other way.
- When you are aware that a boundary is unclear, contact the Bishop for advice.
Adapted by staff of The Diocese of West Missouri from work done by numerous Diocesan Transition Ministers, particularly the Rev. Canon Thomas R. Orso of New York.
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