Clergy Transition
Guided by faith on our journey ahead
In June 2026, St. Margaret’s celebrated the retirement of our beloved rector, the Rev. Beverly Moore-Tasy. We are deeply grateful for her faithful leadership and ministry throughout her time with us. The process of calling our next rector involves a series of important steps guided by prayer, discernment, and mutual commitment. The entire process may take one to two years, and we are grateful for the ministry of our Interim Rector, the Rev. Joseph Peters-Mathews, during this time of transition.
- First, we will gather information from the congregation to create a Parish Profile that introduces St. Margaret’s to potential candidates. The Profile Committee is responsible for developing this candid and detailed description of our parish, a process that typically takes several months.
- Once the Parish Profile is published, clergy candidates may discern whether they feel called to serve at St. Margaret’s. The Call Committee is responsible for reviewing and interviewing candidates recommended by our diocese.
- Finally, the Vestry will issue a call to the selected candidate. If the call is accepted, that person will become our next rector.
The Profile Committee wants to hear from you! You can respond to a question linked below, or provide other feedback by emailing the profilecommittee@saintmargarets.org or dropping a note to us in the Talk to Us box in the narthex.
Questions:
- What does St. Margaret’s have in abundance?
- Look for more questions to be released over the next few months.
Transition News
The Profile Committee has contracted with Holy Cow! Consulting to administer their Congregation Assessment Tool (CAT) survey between August 2nd and 30th. Use of this survey will allow as many of St. Margaret’s parishioners’ voices to be heard and included as possible. The CAT survey was used by St. Margaret’s in 2013 and in 2019 as an aid in writing the Parish Profile during our last rector search. The survey is widely used by other churches and is highly recommended by the diocese. Frequently asked questions about the CAT survey are posted here.
St. Margaret’s has embarked on the first step of our search for a new rector: developing a Parish Profile. The Profile provides a detailed and candid description of our parish to help potential candidates discern their call. Where does the information for the Profile come from? From YOU! On Sunday, July 19 at 11:00 a.m., Andrea Feist described the process for creating the Profile, answered questions, and shared how you can help shape the Parish Profile. Thanks to all who attended that Town Hall. If you missed it, you can find the presentation here.
The Vestry has called members to the Profile Committee to research and compose our Parish Profile, which will represent St. Margaret’s to clergy who are discerning a move. The members are:
- Charlie Gadzik
- Andrea Feist
- John Dennis
- Larry Shannon
- Liz Elliott
- Catherine Coulson (Catherine will also serve on the Call Committee for continuity.)
The Rev. Joseph Peters-Mathews joined us as interim rector on July 1, 2026. Father Joseph was ordained priest in 2012 and has served on the staffs of the presiding bishop and bishop of California. He is married to Brandon and they have two children, Topher and Finny. Joseph has written for Sermons that Work, Earth & Altar, and Modern Metanoia. He is an alumnus of General Theological Seminary and Troy University.
The Rev. Beverly A. Moore-Tasy, lovingly known as Revvy, retired from Saint Margaret’s on June 30, 2026. We celebrate her successful ministry and wish her and Sandy well on their next journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
The guidance we have received from the diocese is that it should take from 9 to 24 months to call a new Rector.
The canons (Title III, Canon 9, Section 6; Title I, Canon 14, Section 2) of the Episcopal Church stipulate that the Interim shall have authority and responsibility:
- …for worship, music and the spiritual life of the congregation, subject to the Rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer, the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church, and the pastoral direction of the Bishop.
- …for the education of all ages in the Scriptures; the doctrine, disciple and worship of the Church; and in the exercise of their ministry as baptized persons.
- …for the provision of comprehensive stewardship education for all ages. This is to include appropriate provision for an offering for charitable uses.
- …to prepare people for baptism, confirmation, reception and reaffirmation of baptismal vows.
- …for a healthy working relationship between the congregation members, the Diocese and the broader Episcopal Church.
- …to be ex officio a member of the Vestry with presiding authority that may be delegated by the Interim to another member of the Vestry. The Interim shall not vote except to break a tie.
- All Parish staff – lay and clergy – report to and are supervised by the Interim.
The Parish Profile tells the story of God’s work in the congregation so that it can be
shared with prospective clergy leaders. It includes the history, finances, ministries, goals, and priorities of the congregation.
The Profile Committee designs and carries out a process for congregational
self-study and synthesizes the gathered data into a Profile document that reflects the truth of
St. Margaret’s history, present circumstances, and vision for the future. The Profile Committee
strives to create a Profile that accurately and honestly portrays St. Margaret’s to
prospective clergy candidates and provides the Call Committee with an accurate representation
of the congregation’s priorities and hopes regarding the qualities and ministry of their future
rector. The Profile Committee also completes the Office of Transition Ministry Community
Ministry Portfolio.
As St. Margaret’s embarks on a search for our new rector, developing a Parish Profile is our
first step. Your input is critical to developing a complete, honest, and accurate Profile that
potential candidates will use to discern if St. Margaret’s may be their call.
On Sunday August 2, you will get an email with a link to the online survey. Click the link to
begin.
Most people finish the CAT survey in 30 minutes or less. Some people take longer. There are
100 questions, and all but one are multiple choice. Set aside the time that you think you
will need, because you must complete it in one sitting.
No! The CAT survey must be completed in one sitting. Please set aside at least 30 minutes
to complete it.
Yes, all household members can use the same link. Please complete the survey
individually.
Please yes, each person should do the survey. We need everyone’s INDIVIDUAL input! Your
individual perspective is essential to understanding the experiences and priorities of
everyone at St. Margaret’s.
All participating parishioners aged 16 years and up are invited to take the survey.
No. Contact the Profile Committee and we will set you up with a trusted companion who
will help you complete the survey online. Email us at
profilecommittee@saintmargarets.org.
No, tell them to contact the Profile Committee. We are keeping count of the number of
links we send out, so we can measure our response rate.
All parishioners aged 16 and older, who are regular participants in the life of the
congregation, are invited to take the survey. Participation takes many forms: attending
worship, both online and in person; giving your time, talent, and treasure; receiving pastoral
care; joining in education, fellowship, and prayer. If you feel that that St. Margaret’s is your
spiritual home, and your participation in the life of this congregation is meaningful to you,
we want you to take the survey.
St. Margaret’s current mission statement is “To welcome people as they are and to
experience God’s love.” Our vision is “To be a vibrant, inclusive community celebrating
Jesus’ love that transforms lives through worship, fellowship, education, and service.”
From Sunday August 2 through Sunday August 30, but please try to do it today!
Survey results will be presented to the parish at a Town Hall on Sunday, September 20. Mark
your calendar – we hope to see you there!
Yes, all responses are strictly anonymous. We have no way of matching any assessment to
a particular person, so please feel free to candidly share your perceptions, opinions and
experiences.
Please do not discuss the survey or your answers with others as this may influence their
answers.
Email the Profile Committee at profilecommittee@saintmargarets.org
Email the Profile Committee at profilecommittee@saintmargarets.org
Email the Profile Committee at profilecommittee@saintmargarets.org
