On Sunday, August 2, St. Philip’s enjoyed a significant milestone on our journey to bringing in our next Rector. The Rev. Canon Frank H. Clark began his service as Interim Rector and Search Consultant by being Celebrant at all five services.
The previous weekend, parishioners gathered to help Canon Clark and his wife, Carol, move into their apartment. Several parishioners generously donated furniture and other items for the Clarks to use during this interim period to help expedite the move from Peoria, where the Clarks have their permanent home.
Among those helping with the move were Jonathan Sprinkle, Sunny Bal, Mike Humphrey, Jeannine and Roger Rainbolt, and Martha and John Lawrence
St. Philip’s warmly welcomed the Clarks at a reception and forum between the 9 and 11:15 a.m. services. At the forum, which he led, Canon Clark explained his roles as both Interim Rector and Search Consultant, briefly describing Appreciative Inquiry, the process he will use to lead us through the search process for a new Rector, beginning with a parish summit and the creation of a parish profile. Appreciative Inquiry is an organizational development process that focuses on our strengths and not our shortcomings — “the best of what exists now” — which intentionally creates and works “toward a clear and compelling vision of the future that embodies the strengths and core life-giving values of the organization.” That vision of our future will be used to create the parish profile and the search committee that will attract our new Rector.
This next stage in our transition is very exciting, and with Canon Clark leading us, we will soon begin learning about what we envision together, creating our future now, and calling a permanent Rector.
Read Canon Clark’s complete bio here.
