The Search for Our Next Priest
Where we are coming from
Our most recent Rector, the Rev. Whitney Smith, retired on May 24, 2026, concluding a ministry of seven years.
At that time, our Senior Warden, Ms. Karen Smith, assumed the role of administering the Household,
with our Deacon, the Rev. Karen Sullivan, responsible for all clerical and pastoral matters.
We are thankful for our partners at the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, from Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows on down,
as they help us maintain our mission and guide us through this process.
A variety of guest priests and musicians are providing their gifts towards our ongoing worship, while members and friends of St. Thomas continue to practice their ministries, as the parish remains vibrant as the Episcopal Church in Johnson County, Indiana.
Where we are now
The congregation recently completed our Congregation Assessment Tool (CAT) survey, to get an initial idea of how our Household see itself and what members want.
The Vestry has reviewed the results of the survey and, on November 1, shared those findings with the larger congregation (pictured here: Senior Warden Karen Smith presenting information to parish members).
Where we are going
The next stop on our journey will be to host “Holy Conversations” between our members, where we will have in-depth reviews of what St. Thomas is as a parish, who we want to be going forward, and how our next priest will fit into that vision.
The subjects of the three conversation sessions will be related to each other, and to the CAT survey results (see above). Each session should last 45 – 60 minutes and will include the following elements:
- Plenary (large group) for orientation and guidance.
- Small table discussions (5-7 people each) to explore the topic thoroughly.
- Plenary to provide feedback from the table discussions in real time and to sum up the session.
The Vestry has scheduled the following sessions:
- Sunday, December 6: 11:45 AM – 12:45 PM
- Sunday, December 13 11:45 AM – 1:45 PM (two sessions)
Each session will include food and refreshments and frequent breaks.
The Vestry has also begun the process to form a Search Committee, whose charge will be to confidentially look at potential priest candidates and make a final recommendation to the Vestry for consideration. Search Committee members will join with the Vestry as hosts of the Holy Conversations.
The Conversations will also be facilitated by the Rev. Canon Giulianna Cappelletti Gray, Canon to the Ordinary for Congregational Development and Leadership (pictured here), who is our diocesan partner in the search process. Canon Giulianna will be with us on December 13 and will celebrate and preach at our 10:00 AM celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
A prayer for a parish in transition
Gracious God, as we have entered into this sacred time of transition, growth, and discernment, we ask that you send your Holy Spirit upon all the members of this Vestry and congregation. May we truly be vessels of your Divine Love to one another, and especially to the neighbors who are in need. May all of us grow in wisdom and grace, so that in all we do, think, and say, you may be glorified and the reign of God proclaimed. Amen.
(courtesy of Brother Joshua Craft-Rutan, CMJ)
