Full-time Rector:
Ministry Profile: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LDQAu8adcVYOSsnyqsu9OPfCJOnEIRWD/view
Clergy Application Instructions: https://episcopalmaine.org/resources/clergy-applications/ 400;
Hello,
We are St. Ann’s Episcopal Church and Faith Lutheran Church working collaboratively in Windham, Maine and we are looking for a clergy person to serve both congregations. Windham is a growing town in Cumberland County that is the gateway to the Lakes Region and about 20 minutes from the City of Portland. Portland is known for its restaurants, museums, music venues and variety of activities for all ages. There are opportunities for skiing, hiking, boating, and swimming within 30 minutes of town. Windham is a mix of farms, established neighborhoods, and new developments with plenty of places to shop, parks and playgrounds to play in, and restaurants to dine at.
St. Ann’s and Faith Lutheran have been informally collaborating and working together for several years and entered into a formal clergy sharing position just over a year ago. Both churches are deeply rooted in our community, welcoming to all, and involved in several outreach opportunities. We provide Christmas stockings for children in our local schools and host a monthly essentials pantry. We work with two other area churches to provide a weekly meal for our community and to support the Sebago Lakes Fuller Center for Housing. Each church also has individual outreach programs. We both collaborate with other area churches in ecumenical services through the Windham Area Clergy Association.
St. Ann’s is known locally as the ladybug church due to our playground that is open to the community. The playground was created in memory of an 11 year old member of the congregation who passed away from cancer and has ladybug swings as a reminder of her favorite creature.
Faith Lutheran has a beautiful outdoor chapel in the woods behind the church building. It is used regularly during the summer and was used throughout the year during COVID. There is a thriving music ministry led by a talented director. The combined choir sings at local nursing homes and other venues throughout the year.
St. Ann’s and Faith Lutheran both have dedicated long term members and are hoping to grow their congregations through faith formation, continued collaboration, and with the help of a compassionate, encouraging, and creative clergy person. We are searching for someone who delivers an inspiring and encouraging sermon, is able to engage with and get to know the members of our congregations, and is willing to be innovative and vulnerable. If this could be you, please apply for this unique position. We look forward to talking with you!
Gracious and loving God, we come before You in gratitude for the journey that has brought us together as one faith family. As we embark on this search for a new clergy person, guide our hearts and minds with Your wisdom and peace. Help us to listen deeply to Your Spirit and to one another, discerning the needs of our community with open hearts. Bless those called to lead, that they may feel Your presence and strength as they consider joining us in service. May our unity in this endeavor reflect Your love and inspire our shared mission. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen
– – – – – –
Discernment Committee Update for FLC and St Ann’s 2/17
The Discernment Committee met on February 17th and finalized the order of the interview questions, deciding who would be the questioner for each of those questions. We also discussed potential questions that we may be asked by a candidate with regards to our two congregations. We have one person from each church who will be the spokesperson to answer those questions or pass the question to another committee member, if appropriate.
We are still waiting patiently for a few applications to trickle in and we hope to see some activity in the next few weeks. We are well prepared at this point, so we do not have another meeting scheduled until March 31st. We’re praying that we’ll have a couple of candidates by then.
Please continue to pray that interested clergy will apply and one of them will be a good fit for our churches.
Older Notices
Discernment Committee Update 12-17
“The Discernment Committee met on December 16th and discussed the questions we will want to ask during our first round of interviews. We are preparing for interviews as the profiles of both St Ann’s and Faith Lutheran are being posted this week. They will remain posted thru mid February and we will be looking forward to conducting interviews once the posting period is closed. Our next meeting will be January 27th where we’ll finish preparing for interviews and hopefully discuss the applications we have by that time. We pray for God to continue to guide us through this process.”
– – – – – –
Discernment Committee Update 1/29
The Discernment Committee met on January 27th and reviewed a variety of interview questions. We decided which would be the best questions to use for the initial interviews, as well as which ones we may use for 2nd round interviews. Our next meeting will be on February 17th to review any applications received by that time and to decide on further interview strategy. We continue to pray for the right candidate to be called to us.
We pray for God to continue to guide us through this process.
Discernment Committee Update 11-27
The Discernment Committee met for the second time on November 18th, when we reviewed the rough draft of the applicant letter. We made a few changes and the finalized letter will be done shortly. This letter will be posted on the transition page on both churches’ websites.
We’ve started working on interview questions to be used at our first interviews with potential applicants, so we’re prepared once the profiles are posted.
Our next meeting will be December 16th where we will be finalizing the interview questions.
Please continue to pray the Holy Spirit guide all our decisions and direct our efforts, so we move forward aligned with God’s plan for us.