Parish Transition

Vestry Discernment & Decisions

See the discernment and decisions the Vestry must make as they go through their prayerful flow of action during the Parish Transition.

This process is determined and guided by the Bishop’s office and Canon Tom Discavage.

The Vestry’s Discernment & Decisions

Each step of the process depends on true discernment:

where every member suspends specific outcomes and prayerfully listens to one another and the Holy Spirit.

Profile & Call Process

  • Canon Tom Discavage meets with Vestry to outline the process

  •  The Vestry names the Profile Committee

  • Review a parish profile draft

  • Approve the parish profile

  • Make a decision in consult with the Bishop's office: Conduct a national search, limited search, or Priest-in-Charge Under Special Circumstances (PIC-USC)

If PIC-USC:

  •  Deliver pastoral letter to bishop

  • Enter period of mutual discernment between vestry and PIC-USC

  • Vote on PIC-USC as rector

  • Letter of agreement and announcement

  • (If not elected, determine timing on national search)

If National Search:

  • Launch search committee process with bishop's office (detail on next page)

  • Receive final candidates from search committee

  • Vote to elect rector

  • Finalize letter of agreement

  • Announce to congregation

A more detailed look at The Vestry’s Decision Points:

A Prayerful Flow of Action

  1. The Vestry discerns in consult with Canon Tom Discavage of the Los Angeles Diocese what kind of process to follow - a national search or Priest-in-Charge Under Special Circumstances (PIC-USC).

  2. The Vestry votes according to All Saints’ Beverly Hills bylaws: a majority vote is needed for this decision

If the Vestry decides to consider the Priest-in-Charge as candidate for Rector:

  1. The Vestry writes a letter to the Bishop outlining pastoral reasons for Priest-in-Charge under Special Circumstance (PIC-USC).

  2. A period of mutual discernment takes place between The Vestry and PIC-USC. This includes opportunity for parish input.

  3. After this period, the vestry meets in discernment and votes regarding a call for the PIC-USC as Rector.

  4. Decision Point:
    - If PIC-USC is elected as rector by a 2/3 majority according to canon law, proceed with the finalization of the letter of agreement and announcement to the congregation

    - If PIC-USC is not elected, then a national search process commences.

If the Vestry decides to conduct a national search process:

  1. The Rector Search Committee is named by the Vestry in accordance with the bylaws and organizes for business.

  2. The position is posted in the Office of Transition Ministry. Applications are received and screened by the Bishop's office.

  3. The Search Committee receives materials on applicants and screens materials.

  4. Interviews are conducted via Zoom and in-person.

  5. Visits are made to the semifinalists.

  6. The Search Committee presents 2-3 names to the Vestry.

  7. The Vestry interviews finalists.

  8. Decision Point:
    -     The Vestry discerns the call and elects a Rector by 2/3 majority vote according to diocesan and national canons. Once elected, the Vestry proceeds with the finalization of the letter of agreement and announcement to the congregation

    - If no candidate receives a 2/3 vote, then the process continues:
    a period of reflection about the criteria needed for a call, and then the position is reopened for names to be received.