During the past month, your St. Luke's Search Committee received information on 38 candidates to be our priest through the Church Deployment Office (CDO) in New York City.  The CDO search used its database and information that the Search Committee provided on our needs (which were derived through a number of sources including St. Luke's stated vision, the parish survey, discussions with individual parishioners at "Hopes and Dreams" sessions during coffee hours, and input from the Vestry and Transition Team) to perform a "computer match".  The results of this match were sent to Bishop Bainbridge's Office by the CDO, where Bishop Harry reviewed the list of candidates and, after pulling a few from consideration, sent the information on the candidates to your Search Committee.  We also received information directly from five other candidates who learned from the CDO website that St. Luke's was searching for a new priest.  The names of these candidates were sent to Bishop Harry's office for an initial review.  Further, we expect to receive additional names when our position available advertisement is printed in the May issue of Episcopal Life, which hits the newsstands on April 18^th.

On April 13^th, your Search Committee met for several hours an initial review of the 43 candidates.  Of these, packets will be sent to twenty-two for further information.  These information packets include a four-page brochure that provides a community profile, parish profile, and a set of questions for the candidate.  The information packet also includes a cover letter and a position description.  The candidate's responses to this information packet will be used to further down-select the number of candidates.  In late May-early June, telephone interviews will be held with selected candidates.  The results of these telephone interviews are expected to lead to the identification of three (or perhaps four) final candidates.  These candidates will be visited in their home parishes during the summer with the finalists visiting St. Luke's later in the summer.  More information will be provided about this part of the process as details are developed.

Your St. Luke's Search Committee (Cher Stone, head honcho, Ann Albin, Nancy Jones, Warren Jones, Bob Neilson, Gary Roberts, and Jason Wright) are available to discuss the search process, receive input, or answer any questions you may have.  So, let us know what you think!