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
We have just completed the Congregation Assessment Tool (CAT) survey, to get an initial idea of how our Household sees itself and what are members want.
Our Vestry is reviewing the results of the survey and will soon share those findings with the larger congregation.
(Pictured here: St. Thomas Caterbury, the patron of our CAT survey and also of the search process.)
Where we are going
After reviewing the CAT survey, the next stop on our journey will be to have “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 our next priest will fit into that vision.
(Pictured here: our “road map” for the search process, inspired by a design from our friends at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Indianapolis.)
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)
