Rector Discernment Process

Jul 14, 2026| by Chris Harris

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

I want to update you on the steps we have taken to begin the discernment process for the next Rector of our beloved parish. We have made significant progress in selecting our consultant and identifying parish leaders to guide this important work.

Rector Discernment Committee Leadership

First, I am pleased to announce that Lisa Longino has agreed to serve as Chairperson for our discernment process. A longtime parishioner, Lisa served as Altar Guild Directress for many years and on the Vestry, most recently as Junior Warden in 2025, and she continues to serve in many other important ways. She has the complete confidence of the Vestry, and we look forward to her leadership.

Second, I am also pleased to announce that Sarah James has agreed to serve as Vice Chairperson of the Rector Discernment Committee. Sarah and her husband William have attended Incarnation for 13 years, and their children, Kate and Robert, have grown up in the church. She served on the Vestry from 2020 to 2023 and is currently a member of the Incarnation Foundation board. Together, Lisa and Sarah will provide strong, thoughtful, generational leadership for this important process.

We have also engaged Father Ronald Clingenpeel as our discernment consultant. Father Ron is an Episcopal priest widely respected for guiding discernment processes for parish and diocesan clergy positions across the country. He comes highly recommended and has recently assisted with discernments for parishes similar to our parish, as well as the recent discernment for the Bishop of Dallas. He will work closely with the Discernment Committee and the Vestry until we call our next Rector.

Discernment Committee Member Nominations

One of the most important steps in this process is forming a Rector Discernment Committee—a group of faithful parishioners who will prayerfully represent our congregation as they listen, research, discern, and help identify the one God is calling to lead our parish into its next chapter. Nominations for the committee will be open from July 21 through August 31. Next week, we will share additional details about the committee's qualifications, the nomination process, and how you may nominate yourself for consideration.

Parish-Wide Survey

As part of the search, we will conduct a parish-wide survey this coming fall. The survey results play a significant role in guiding the Discernment Committee’s work. Participation in this survey will be critical to the process as it will help the committee and candidates understand the desires of the parish. We will share the results with the parish once they are final.

Our heartfelt thanks continue to our Interim Rector, Bishop Greg Brewer. We continue to be blessed with his extraordinary leadership and thoughtful support of our parish. Thanks be to God for his dedication and the stability he provides during this important time.

We continue to bid your prayers for the Vestry, the Discernment Committee, our clergy and staff as we undertake this most important action in the life of our Parish.

Thank you for entrusting the Vestry with this mission of serving the needs of our Parish. We value your support and confidence at this time.

In His Service,

Chris Harris
Senior Warden