Christ Episcopal Church

GUILFORD, CONNECTICUT

Parish Profile

T his document is intended to provide
candidates for rector with a clear,
accurate, and comprehensive picture
of Christ Episcopal Church, Guilford. It
includes information on the Guilford
community, how our church’s history and
its current parish life and ministries help
sustain its members, and what we see as
our major strengths and challenges as a
congregation.
page 1
Table of Contents
Page
Table of Contents........................................................................ 1
Parish Mission Statement............................................................ 2
The Search Committee’s Mission Statement.............................. 2
Our Prayer................................................................................... 2
Community Demographics......................................................... 3
Our Parish History...................................................................... 5
Telling Our Story........................................................................ 6
Rectors of Christ Church, 1955-Present..................................... 6
Parish Demographics.................................................................. 7
Parish Life................................................................................... 8
Buildings and Grounds .............................................................. 9
Worship......................................................................................11
Christian Education................................................................... 12
Lay Ministry and Outreach....................................................... 12
Evangelism................................................................................ 12
Stewardship and Finances......................................................... 13
Parish Administration............................................................... 16
Conclusion: Our Goals and Expectations................................. 17
Further Expectations................................................................. 18
 Parish Mission Statement
We believe in God, who offers unconditional love, peace, forgiveness,
and eternal life through Jesus Christ. We are a growing church family
blessed with a much-loved and historic landmark church on the Guilford
Green. We are an enthusiastic, caring, and prayerful community commit-
ted to welcoming all people who wish to join us on their spiritual journey.
Together we worship, celebrate, and share our faith. We are grateful for
the abundance that God has given us, and we are committed to giving
faithfully in return. We enjoy an active fellowship with our parish, while
building a program of outreach toward the local community and beyond.

The Search Committee’s Mission Statement

Our mission is to call a new rector who will share our joy and gratitude
for God’s abundance, to build a program of active fellowship within our
own parish and a program of outreach toward the community and the
world, and to care for each other and our neighbors both at home and
abroad.

Our Prayer
Dear Lord, we at Christ Church look to your wisdom and guid-
ance in assisting us in our journey to find a rector for our church.
We seek a person who will enlighten us through preaching and
teaching, who will inspire and engage us in Christian education,
who will encourage a commitment by all parishioners in serv-
ing the needs of others, and will motivate our congregation to
celebrate the Gospel in word and deed. All this we ask of you so
that we may all come to know the love of Christ. Amen.

page 2
 Community Demographics
Guilford was founded in 1639 as a small farming community. Slow changes
over the next 300 years included the growth of specialty industries and devel-
opment of the shoreline as a vacation/second home destination. The town’s
greatest transformation occurred in the 1950’s with the growth of the suburbs
as bedroom communities for urban centers such as New Haven.
Today’s Guilford is an enjoyable mix of the old and new. The town features
New England’s third-largest collection of antique residences. Four of these are
maintained as museums. Homes continue to be renovated or replaced in ways
that pay homage to the antique New England flavor of the town. The commu-
nity actively works to protect and preserve its most valuable natural habitats.
Dedicated open space owned by the town and the Guilford Land Trust exceeds
5,000 acres. The proximity to Long Island Sound provides a variety of outdoor
recreational opportunities, including town beaches.
The current population of Guilford is approximately
22,000. Although the U.S. Census Bureau data from
2000 categorizes the population as 96% white, the
community contains a relatively broad cross-section
of ages, educational levels, and professions. Twenty-
seven percent of its residents are under 19 years old,
and 25% are over 55. Forty-nine percent of adults
have attained a bachelor’s degree and 24% have grad-
uate or professional level degrees. Of the 2009 high
school graduating class, 95% are planning on continu-
ing their education. The median family income is over
$85,000, and less than 2.5% of families are considered
below the poverty level. Home ownership is at 85%.
Major employers include United Technologies, Pfizer,
and Electric Boat, as well as many small businesses.
Some of these have been local, family-run operations
for generations.
Major health care providers include St. Raphael’s and Yale/New Haven Hos-
pital, which operates an emergency care center in Guilford. There are over 24
colleges and universities within an hour’s drive, including Yale, Wesleyan, and
the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
The town’s public school system includes four elementary schools, two middle
schools, and a high school. Guilford enjoys a good reputation for academic
achievement, music and drama, and youth sports programs.
The focal point of town is the Green, which is home to local shops and busi-
nesses, four churches, the newly renovated Guilford Free Library, summer
concerts, festivals, and live theater. The Guilford Fair Grounds, less than one
mile away, hosts a number of events, including the town’s agricultural fair.

page 3

Christ Episcopal Church (and rectory) is
one of four churches bordering Guilford’s
spacious, beautiful Green. Ecumenical
Gatherings are only a few steps away.
page 4
Just north of the Green is the Guilford Community and Senior Center. There
are three senior housing complexes operated by the Guilford Housing
Authority.
Local mass transit is limited to the Shoreline East commuter rail service and
the Shoreline bus service. The town is convenient to I-95 and the Amtrak
northeast corridor service. Two international airports are within 90 minutes’
drive.
The town government is led by a five-member Board of Selectmen. There is a
new Public Safety Campus housing the Police, Fire, and Emergency Services.
A challenge for the town is the annual struggle to balance the benefits of the
quality school program with the costs required to maintain it. There is a lack
of affordable housing for both first-time home buyers and long-time
homeowners on fixed incomes.
 Our Parish History
Christ Episcopal Church was founded by a Guilford native, The Rev. Dr.
Samuel Johnson, in 1744 as a missionary outpost of the Church of Eng-
land. There were eight founding families who met in each other’s homes,
with itinerant missionaries leading the worship. Six years later, the first
church building was erected, a small wooden structure on the east side of
the town Green. Dr. Johnson, who went on to become president of King’s
College (now Columbia University), delivered the dedication sermon.
The original structure had no pews or window glass, and sheep and goats
wandered through the congregation. During the first 13 years of its exis-
tence, Christ Church had no priest, and services were led by lay readers.
By 1764, the congregation had grown large enough to call its first rector,
The Rev. Bela Hubbard. Money was raised for pews, windows, and a pul-
pit for the new minister.
During the Revolutionary War, the building suffered from lawless vio-
lence. The lead from the window sashes is said to have been melted down
for bullets to be fired at King George’s soldiers. In 1834, the vestry de-
cided to abandon the original building and over the next two years raised
$8,000 to construct a new church. The present stone church faces the
Green, almost directly opposite from where the original building stood. It
was dedicated on December 12, 1838. Built in 1820, the adjacent rectory
was bequeathed to Christ Church in 1889 by The Rev. Lorenzo Bennett.
In 1952, The Rev. Gilbert Baker was called as rector and later became the
Bishop of Hong Kong. He is the only former rector of Christ Church to be
called to the Episcopate.
In 1955, the church called The Rev. Bradford B. Locke, Jr.. With the
completion of the Connecticut Turnpike to Guilford, new residents swelled
the parish membership, and attendance at weekly services grew to 300 or
more. In 1961, some of our families transferred to the newly founded St.
Andrew’s in Madison. A period of declining stewardship, membership,
and church activity began in the 1970s. As a result, the property fell into
disrepair.
After 40 years of service, Father Locke retired in 1995. During the next
two years, under the interim leadership of The Rev. David Parachini, the
parish slowly started to rebuild. In the fall of 1997, the vestry called The
Rev. Norman M. MacLeod III to be the 16th rector of Christ Church.

page 5
 Many improvements in both the parish community and the church prop-
erty occurred under Father MacLeod’s leadership. The Sunday school
grew, and we hired our first paid director of Christian education. Many
new programs were initiated, and membership and pledges continued to
increase. We conducted a major capital campaign, raising nearly half a
million dollars to renovate the church buildings and to purchase and install
a new pipe organ in the balcony. In the spring of 2008, Father MacLeod
was called to the position as Interim Rector at St. James Church in Keene,
New Hampshire. Our current Interim Rector, The Rev. Anthony C. Dinoto,
arrived in June of 2008.

Telling Our Story

Over 50 members of the parish attended the “Telling Our Story” session
in June of 2008. Individuals were grouped according to the decade during
which they first came to Christ Church. Those who came during the 1960s
and earlier remembered a time of unprecedented growth, which culminat-
ed in the formation of the new parish of St. Andrew’s in Madison. Those
who arrived in the 1970s found a church that reflected the many changes
occurring in the larger society, including an increased interest in new and
different forms of liturgy. Many recalled the energizing experience of a
“Faith Alive” weekend at Christ Church. However, during the 1980s, by
not including women in our liturgical ministries, we did not follow the
lead of the National Church. The 1982 Hymnal was not placed in the pews
until 1995. The 1980s and early 1990s saw both dwindling attendance and
declining stewardship pledges, resulting in deferred maintenance of our
buildings and grounds. Members who arrived during the last dozen years
have found Christ Church once again to be a growing and thriving faith
community, with a large influx of young families. During both periods
of growth and decline, one constant has always been a dedicated core of
members in our parish.

Rectors of Christ Church, 1955-Present

The Rev. Bradford B. Locke, 1955-1995. Retired.
The Rev. Norman M. MacLeod III, 1997-2008. Moved to Keene, NH.

page 6
 Parish Demographics
From the 2008 Parish Survey
A survey of the congregation was performed in 2008 to gather current
information about the composition of our parish. The response rate was
approximately 25% of the surveys mailed, and the following statistical
data are the results from those responding members. Younger families are
under-represented in these responses. The occupations of our parishioners
are primarily professional and academic.

AGE MARITAL STATUS

16-22..................................... 2%
23-40 ...................................11%
41-50....................................16%
51-65 .................................. 26%
65+.......................................45%
Single..................................... 9%
Married................................. 69%
Partnered................................ 2%
Divorced................................ 6%
Widowed.............................. 11%

GENDER CHILDREN LIVING AT HOME

Male.......................................30%
Female....................................70%
EDUCATION
High school ............................ 6%
Technical................................ 3%
College.................................. 44%
Graduate................................ 41%
Other....................................... 3%
YEARS ATTENDING CHRIST
CHURCH
Under 2 yrs............................. 1%
2-5 yrs.................................... 25%
6-10 yrs.................................. 24%
11-20 yrs................................ 17%
Over 20 yrs............................. 32%
SERVICE PREFERENCE
8 o’clock Rite I....................... 23%
10 o’clock Rite II................... 68%
8 or 10.................................... 9%
Nursery school..................... 15%
Pre-K.................................... 10%
Kindergarten.......................... 7%
Grammar school................... 32%
Middle school....................... 14%
High school.......................... 10%
College................................. 12%
FREQUENCY OF ATTENDANCE
Weekly................................. 57%
Twice a month...................... 11%
Three times a month............. 20%
Occasionally . ....................... 9%
Easter/Christmas................... 2%
TRAVEL TIME TO CHRIST
CHURCH
15 minutes or less................. 86%
16 minutes or more.............. 14%
RAISED EPISCOPAL
Yes.......................................... 52%
No........................................... 48%

page 7
 Parish Life

Individual Spiritual Growth

A faithful group of parishioners attends our weekly Thursday morning Bible
study classes, and vestry members pursue spiritual renewal at an annual
retreat. We have an active “Looking Ahead” group for the widowed and di-
vorced women of the parish. Most of our committee meetings, and even choir
rehearsals, begin with prayer, and vestry meetings are preceded by a celebra-
tion of the Eucharist.

Community Life
Our pastoral care committee calls on those who are ill or in a time of crisis.
The women of the ECW organize assistance for members of the congregation
who are in need. Altar flowers are delivered to sick or shut-in parishioners.
Traditionally, small disagreements as well as major conflicts have been
handled by the rector, with occasional consultation with others. Final deci-
sions were made by the rector, which sometimes resulted in hurt feelings and
unresolved conflicts.
People desiring to be baptized, married, or confirmed generally have some
connection with Christ Church and attend baptismal preparation, premarital
counseling sessions, or confirmation classes.
The whole parish enjoys many opportunities to get together, including break-
fasts, picnics, potluck dinners, and weekly coffee hours following the 10
o’clock Sunday service.

Wider Church Involvement

We have both Diocesan and Deanery delegates. We have welcomed consul-
tants from the Diocese and the National Church. Our ECW members have
served on the Diocesan Altar Guild, ECW Board, and National Cathedral
Association. Children from the parish have attended Camp Washington and
Incarnation Camp. Over the past 10 years, we have had a cooperative relation-
ship with the Diocese, and we have paid our Diocesan pledge in full.
In the area of interfaith involvement, we participate in the annual Ecumeni-
cal Blessing of the Palms on the Guilford Green, the interfaith Community
Thanksgiving Service, and pulpit exchanges. Our choir has sung with other
churches in joint concerts, and the Concertato series draws audiences from
Guilford and beyond. Members of the congregation planned a fundraiser with
other Guilford churches to benefit Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Many
parishioners are dedicated community volunteers. We join with members of
neighboring churches in Guilford and Madison in the Crop Walk.

page 8
 Membership Statistics From the 2008 Parochial Report

. 10 Yrs. Ago 5 Yrs. Ago 3 Yrs. Ago 2008

Baptized members 276 446 456 479
Adult members 161 293 288 297
(16 and over)
Average Sunday attendance 117 131 131 145
(Based on four key Sundays)
.Christmas attendance 311 324 351 425
Easter attendance 313 317 370 290
Baptisms 13 12 9 4
Confirmations 0 1 0 0
Receptions 0 0 0 0

Buildings and Grounds

Christ Church, the adjoining parish house, and the rectory are on almost an
acre of land facing the Guilford Green. Major work on the church structure has
been done over the last 4-5 years, including re-pointing the stone facade, new
flashing to repair leaks in the bell tower, and replacing the protective coverings
outside the stained glass windows.
Interior improvements included painting the sanctuary, guild room, hallways,
and church school. A custom-built pipe organ was installed in the balcony.
Renovation of the chancel is an ongoing project.
Adjacent to the parish hall are the nursery, the kitchen, and two bathrooms,
one of which is handicapped accessible. Just inside the lower door to the par-
ish house is an elevator that provides access to the parish hall and the sanctu-
ary. Sunday school rooms and church offices are located on the lower level.
Behind the church is a memorial garden where services are sometimes held.
The fenced-in yard encompasses a Noah’s Ark playscape, barbecue pit, picnic
tables, and benches. There is ample parking around the Green and in the lot on
the north side of the church, including designated handicapped spaces, and a
ramp to the front door of the church.
The rectory is adjacent to, and shares a driveway with, the parish house. It is
a nine-room, four-bedroom, one-and-one-half bath, 3,000-square foot, antique
center hall colonial, built c.1820, with an attached one-car garage. The interior
page 9
 Buildings and Grounds
received a major facelift in 1998, but the kitchen and upstairs bath need updat-
ing. This building has the flexibility to be utilized in a wide variety of ways: as
a single-family residence, combined residential and church program use, or as
a source of rental income.
In 2008, the major work of restoring the exterior of the rectory was com-
pleted. We plan a capital campaign in the next three to five years to repay the
loans for the rectory restoration and to finance other much-needed work.

ENTRY

PARISH
HALL
MEMORIAL GARDEN

GUILD
ROOM KITCHEN
NURSERY
STORAGE

SACRISTY ENTRY
VESTING
ROOM

ENTRY
CHANCEL
ENTRY

TO PARISH HALL,
SUNDAY SCHOOL
PARKING & RESTROOMS

NAVE RECTORY

NARTHEX
ENTRY ENTRY

ENTRY

page 10
 Worship
The Holy Eucharist is the center of the expression of our faith and is celebrated
every Sunday at 8 and 10 a.m. Our liturgical style has become more “broad”
or “middle” church during the interim period, in contrast to the more “low”
church style of previous rectors.
Our 8 a.m. celebration follows Rite I of the Book of Common Prayer, and is
attended by 20-25 people. The 10 a.m. family service follows Rite II, and is
attended by 50-100 children and adults.
We are very proud of our music program, and it is one of the major strengths
of our worship together. Our recent organists/music directors have been gradu-
ate students at the Institute for Sacred Music at Yale University, and have been
able to provide musicians from Yale for special occasions. The senior choir
and choristers regularly perform Communion or Offertory anthems. Mem-
bers of our “Cherub Choir” (4-7 years old) also occasionally sing during the
service. Sunday school begins at 9:30, and the children join their families in
the church at the Peace. Lay liturgical assistants play an important role in our
worship services.
Special services include a healing service every Wednesday at noon, two
Christmas Eve services, and a Twelfth Night celebration. Holy Week includes
Tenebrae, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Great Vigil of Easter, and two
Easter morning services.

page 11
 Christian Education
Youth/Sunday School We offer a Sunday school program for children
ranging in age from preschool through fifth grade. The program is staffed by
a director of Christian education and 13 volunteer teachers. The young people
are considered an integral part of our church and have numerous opportunities
to participate in the Sunday services and outreach programs.
Living the Good News, a lectionary-based curriculum, is supplemented by
“The Sunday Paper.” We also have a nursery care for children up to 3 years of
age.  

Teenagers The Journey to Adulthood Program facilitates the Christian

education of those in the 11- to 18-year-old range. Rite 13 & J2A members are
extensively involved in parish fundraisers, including the “World Hunger 36-
Hour Famine.” The members of the J2A Program decide where to donate their
funds. Classes are held weekly after the 10 a.m. service, and the program is
staffed by a volunteer leader. Currently, the J2A youngsters are taking part in a
once-a-month, two-year program for confirmation.

Adults Adult education includes weekly Bible study classes and occasional
Sunday morning mini-classes on a variety of subjects between the 8 and 10
o’clock services. Lenten programs have been scheduled following the 10
o’clock Sunday service and on weekday evenings.

Lay Ministry and Outreach

Lay Ministries The laity serve in our worship services as liturgical assis-
tants and as leaders in our parish administration and programs. There are two
licensed lay Eucharistic ministers who may take the Sacrament to shut-ins.

Outreach We support many outreach programs, such as the Guilford

Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, and Christmas gifts for families affected
by AIDS. We have had three successful silent auctions, bringing in over
$10,000 at each event. The parish hall provides a home for many outside
groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, ESL and GED classes, and music
lessons.

Evangelism
The community of Christ Church does not have a clear or concise
program in place to provide an understanding of evangelism. There-
fore, we are looking for leadership to educate us about the connec-
tion between good works and evangelism and to help us overcome
our reluctance to share our faith stories.
page 12
 Stewardship and Finances
Stewardship pledging at Christ Church is currently achieved through a Com-
mitment Sunday/annual pledging model in the fall of each year. A mailing is
made to the parish and members are asked to determine their pledge commit-
ment and to submit it either before or during the Commitment Sunday event.
There is not an every-member visitation.
The stewardship chairman and the rector manage the Commitment Sunday
program. The stewardship chairman manages other aspects of the stewardship
process. Currently there is no teaching about proportional or sacrificial giving,
or tithing.
The audit is current and Christ Church is found by the auditor to be in compli-
ance with “normal and ordinary business practices.” The finance committee is
reviewing if we are fully in compliance with the Business Methods in Church
Affairs Manual.
A draft budget is developed by the bookkeeper and the treasurer. The finance
committee, including the rector, reviews the budget and proposes changes. 
The draft budget is forwarded to the vestry for consideration and approval. 
The budget is then presented to the parish at the annual meeting.
The finance committee holds monthly meetings that are attended by the rector.
The committee reviews the treasurer’s monthly report, financial statements
prepared by the bookkeeper, and any significant present and future issues. 
These are then presented to the vestry at its subsequent monthly meeting.
At this time, there are several restricted endowment funds together valued at
approximately $268,000. An unrestricted endowment fund also exists, but
must experience market recovery of $19,000 before it can be tapped, due to
accounting procedures the parish uses. Endowment assets have declined in
value significantly due to a history of unsustainable withdrawals, coupled with
the recent decline in the investment markets. A policy of withdrawing propor-
tionate amounts from equity and fixed income investments may have wors-
ened the decline during years of stock market losses.
Stewardship giving has fluctuated during the past five years, generally
following conditions in the economy: 2004: $184,330; 2005: $215,044;
2006: $235,488; 2007: $231,234; 2008: $200,892.
After decades of spending more than income, the church budget was bal-
anced in 2005 and 2006. Deficits were again realized in 2007 at $7,149 and in
2008 at $32,200. Through June 2009, there was a six-month shortfall of about
$10,000. Giving in the first six months of 2009 at $117,489 surpassed the first
six months of 2008 at $90,042.

Rectory Renovations Debt

During 2008, extensive renovations were made to the exterior of the church
rectory. Loans of nearly $208,000 are outstanding from this project. These
page 13
 Stewardship and Finances
loans will need to be repaid by either a special fundraising program or by
incorporating the balance into a capital campaign.

Need for a Capital Campaign

We anticipate the need for a capital campaign within the next three to five
years. The last campaign was in 2001 and raised over $430,000 for an
organ, church roof, painting, windows, handicap-accessible bathroom, church
grounds, and many other projects. A capital campaign for 2010 and beyond
could raise funds for the rectory restoration debt, additional work on the rec-
tory interior, and projects within the church and parish hall. A capital cam-
paign can also be used to raise awareness of planned giving strategies and
techniques and could be used to help rebuild the endowment.

Historic Pledging Statistics

8 years ago 5 years ago 3 years ago Present
Number of pledging units 71 99 97 90
Average weekly pledge $21.31 $27.03 $32.95 $33.91
Total pledges $78,662 $139,148 $166,192 $158,693

Giving from January to June in 2008 & 2009

$120,000

$100,000
Music Support
$80,000 Prior Year Pledges

$60,000 Pledge Payments

Easter/Christmas
$40,000
Plate
$20,000 Donations

$0
2008 Jan. - June 2009 Jan. - June

Plate and Pledge Giving

$250,000

$200,000

$150,000

$100,000

$50,000

page 14 $0
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
 Stewardship and Finances
Summary of Budget Presented at the 2009 Annual Meeting
INCOME
Proposed 2008 Actual 2008 Proposed 2009

Giving in Support of General Puposes

Pledge Payments & Prior Cash 242,055.00 177,894.01 215,700.00
Plate Offerings 8,000.00 6,378.48 6,400.00
Easter & Christmas 6,000.00 13,809.23 5,300.00
Other 0.00 13,783.23 13,500.00
Total 256,055.00 203,448.03 240,900.00

Income from Other Sources:

Income from Investments 15,000.00 15,634.46 15,500.00
Use of the Church Properties 13,000.00 13,551.00 14,550.00
Total of General Purpose Income 284,055.00 232,633.49 270,950.00
Total Special Purposes 15,100.00 7,809.67 1,599.00
Income Total 299,155.00 240,443.16 272,450.00

EXPENSES
Disbursements - Outside
Diocesan Pledge 30,865.00 28,292.00 32,957.00
Special Offer - Outreach 8,000.00 0.00 0.00

Disbursements - Within
Total Salaries & Related Expenses 174,631.00 154,536.49 173,034.99
Total Church Programs 42,400.00 45,501.13 30,130.0
Total Plant Expenses 42,259.00 45,981.61 36,288.00
Uncategorized Expenses 0.00 332.19 0.00
Total Parish Operating Expenses 298,155.00 274,643.42 272,409.99
Net Income 1,000.00 -32,200.26 40.01

ADDITIONAL CASH OUTFLOW

Diocesan Loan/GPA Loan -15,971.32
Cash Position with Debt Service
SEEK $20,000 in Seed Capital for Capital Campaign 16,000.00
Income with Debt Service 28.68

page 15
 Parish Administration
Vestry
The vestry of Christ Church usually consists of 12 members. Nine of these are
regular vestry members elected for staggered three-year terms at the annual
meeting. The other three hold the offices of senior warden, junior warden,
and treasurer and are also elected at the annual meeting, along with the par-
ish clerk, for one-year terms. The parish by-laws set limits for these elected
officers of three consecutive one-year terms. The vestry meets monthly from
September to July, and meetings are chaired by the rector. Members are also
expected to attend an annual event planning session as well as a yearly spiri-
tual retreat.
Some vestry members chair or serve on parish committees. Often the junior
warden assumes the role of chair of buildings and grounds, and the treasurer
serves as chair of the finance committee.

Paid Staff
The part-time (30 hr. per week with pension benefits) parish administrator co-
ordinates the calendar of events for church and use of the facilities by outside
groups, publishes the weekly service bulletins, maintains church records, and
assists in day-to-day operations.
The part-time music director/organist works with the rector in selecting ser-
vice music and conducts the choirs. Choir practices are on Thursday evenings.
The current director graduates from the Yale School of Sacred Music in June
2010 and a replacement will need to be hired.
The part-time director of Christian education is responsible for the elementary
school-level Sunday school program. The director works with the rector on
decisions concerning curriculum and schedule, and coordinates the coverage
of classes by the volunteer teaching staff. Filling the position of the Sunday
nursery attendant is a continual challenge.
The sexton works part-time to maintain the church and parish hall and helps
prepare for and clean up after specific events. Routine grounds maintenance
and snow removal are contracted out to a local provider.
The bookkeeper is an independent contractor who manages account payables
and receivables, as well as employee and donor tax reports. This person assists
the treasurer in preparing financial reports and in the formulation of the annual
budget.

Volunteers
As noted above, there are many volunteers who serve as Sunday school teach-
ers, coordinators of liturgical assistants, and facilitators of parish events.

page 16
 Conclusion: Our Goals and Expectations
The following four goals have been selected as most important for Christ
Church and our next rector. Like books on the shelf, these goals lean against
each other for support and strength. The first and fourth goals address our
spirituality, and, like bookends, they provide support to all our future work
together.

1. Stewardship
Goal - to enlighten us through preaching and teaching so that we may ex-
perience the transformation from givers responding to budget needs into
givers responding joyously to God’s gifts to us.
Clergy expectation - to provide strong leadership and a vision to incorpo-
rate stewardship into the year-round life of the church.

2. Christian Education
Goal - to inspire and engage all ages in Christian education and to enrich
and strengthen the understanding of our Episcopal heritage.
Clergy expectation - to be grounded in Episcopal traditions, and to expose
us to the array of available resources to meet the education needs of the
congregation.

3. Outreach/Inreach
Goal - to encourage a commitment by all parishioners to be involved in
serving the needs of others, both here and beyond our community.
Clergy expectation - to join with parish leadership to explore opportuni-
ties that support and facilitate growth in our outreach to the world and
inreach to our faith community.

4. Spiritual Life
Goal - to motivate our congregation to celebrate the Gospel of Jesus
Christ in word and deed and to offer experiences that deepen our spiri-
tual life in Christian fellowship.
Clergy expectation - to be a shepherd who leads us in the discipline of
prayer, by opening our eyes, ears, and hearts to God so we may discern
how members of Christ Church can be disciples of Jesus Christ.

page 17
 Further Expectations

We expect that the new rector will:

Be a caring, sincere listener, who respects confidentiality
Be forgiving and compassionate
Reflect faith in daily life
Be open to other people’s ideas
Accept criticism
Support parish programs
Be involved in the Guilford community and ecumenical programs
Be in concert with the Diocese
Be an effective communicator
Be an inspirational preacher

Acknowledge limitations, boundaries, and has integrity

Have a sense of humor

What the new rector can expect from the congregation:

Time and patience during the transition period
Warm and welcoming
Accepting of new and innovative ideas
Enthusiastic support
Willing and eager to cooperate
Ready to meet new challenges
Talent that can be recruited
Dedication to the continued growth of the parish

page 18
 We wish to express our thanks to the Diocese of Connecticut, especially to
those involved in transition ministry, for their guidance and support during
our search process.

The Rt. Rev. Andrew D. Smith, Bishop

The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens, Suffragan Bishop
The Rt. Rev. James E. Curry, Suffragan Bishop
The Rev. Erik W. Larsen, Canon for Transition Ministry
The Rev. Anthony C. Dinoto, Interim Rector

2009 Vestry
Edward Seibert, Sr. Warden David Kish, Jr. Warden
Dirck Goss, Treasurer Kasha Kingsbury, Clerk

Kay Claiborn Dana Schneider

Ted Culotta Cindy Smith
Bob Donahue Diana Stovall
William Glover Jean Valentine
Rob Hutchison Rhoda Whitman

Search Committee
Diane Barker Richard Marvin
Gene Bishop Tom McGuigan
Jennie Hamilton Susan C. Shackford
Carol Iovanna Diana Stovall
David Jones Rhoda Whitman
Evelyn Linskey

Jane Inrig, Diocesan Consultant

page 19
Christ Episcopal Church
11 PARK STREET
GUILFORD, CONNECTICUT 06437

203-453-2279
www.ChristChurchGuilford.org