The St. Philip’s vestry is pleased to announce that the following individuals have been elected to serve on the Rector Search Committee. We want to thank everyone who submitted their names or nominated someone else in the parish to serve on the Rector Search Committee. Over 60 names were received reflecting a keen interest in this process as well as an eagerness to serve our community. This is an incredibly important responsibility and the committee will welcome your prayers. If you have any questions about the nomination or selection process of the committee, please contact Senior Warden Richard Ammons.

Rector Search Committee

Bynum Walter, Chair
Judy Pearson
Shamieka Rhinehart
Kirk Royal
Kelly Ryan
Elizabeth Sappenfield
Isaac Trost
Freda Tucker
Bob Walker
Callie Woods

The vestry has issued the following charges for the committee:

Vestry Charge to the Rector Search Committee


I. Introduction

  1. The Rector Search Committee (committee) is a committee of the parish appointed by the vestry and charged to conduct a thorough, thoughtful, and prayerful search and evaluation of qualified candidates for the position of rector of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Durham.  The selection and call of a rector is the most important decision the vestry can make.   

II. The Committee

  1. The committee consists of a chair and nine other members.
  2. The committee shall approach the search process prayerfully, with attention to the relevant provisions of Canon Law and Diocesan and National Church requirements pertaining to the search process and bearing in mind the interest of the whole parish and all of its various constituencies and ministries.
  3. The committee shall meet as often as may be necessary to ensure the prompt and efficient completion of its charge.
  4. The committee periodically will update the parish on its progress. The committee chair will keep the vestry fully informed about the developments in the search either by email or appearing at a vestry meeting, or both.
  5. Utilizing the resources of the diocesan Office of Transition and Pastoral Ministries to assist in its work, the committee shall serve as the contact point between the parish and the diocese for communication regarding the search. These communications shall be kept confidential, except that such communications may be disclosed to the vestry. 

III. Budget

  1. At the earliest possible date, the committee will prepare a budget and submit it to the vestry for approval.

IV. Scope of Search

  1. The vestry directs the committee to conduct a national search for a rector who will be an effective leader in the parish without regard to age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, or nationality.

V. Parish Consultation

  1. The committee shall develop a process to gather insights and opinions from parishioners regarding their understanding of the unique gifts and challenges of the parish, their ambitions for its future, and the particular skill and abilities of a new rector.
  2. Utilize the insights gathered to create a parish profile and, working with the Director of Communications, publish it in both a digital and print format.

VI. Presentation of a Final Candidate

  1. The committee shall present to the vestry for its consideration a single candidate to be the next rector.  The name of the candidate shall be presented in a joint meeting of the vestry and the committee. 

VII. Confidentiality

  1. The Committee shall keep confidential any information obtained during the search process that concerns specific potential candidates.