Search Committee
The Rev. Nathaniel Katz Named Dean of Christ Church Cathedral
Search Committee Members: Guy Hagstette (Senior Warden), Matthew Wright, Consuelo Bravo, Eric Hagstette, Debby Francis, Bill McKenzie, Linnet Deily (Chair), Will Randall, Kristin Johnson, Rob Reedy, Erin McMillin, Robin Bullington, Meredith Canada, Floyd Robinson, Flo Ray (Junior Warden).
Thank you for your participation as a congregation in the sessions from several weeks ago when the Parish Profile was discussed, and for participating in the discussions on the important qualities desired in our prospective Dean. Your input helps inform the Search Committee’s deliberations.
The vestry met September 28 and approved the slate of members for the Search Committee, AND THE VESTRY WANTS TO THANK EVERYONE WHO SUBMITTED A NOMINATION.
With almost 100 Cathedral members nominated, all of whom are respected and committed members of the Cathedral family, it was very difficult to select only one out of seven nominees for the committee. There were many, many outstanding Cathedral members, so much of the attention was focused on ensuring to the extent possible a balanced representation of the diverse viewpoints, services, ministries, and life experiences of our congregation. Our Senior Warden, Guy Hagstette, will serve as a non-voting member of the committee and will be charged with keeping parishioners updated as the committee conducts its work.
The Search Committee was commissioned during the 11 a.m. service on Sunday, October 16. This is the first important step in the Committee’s work to select our next Dean. They participated in search committee training as required by the Diocese the following Wednesday and completed the requirements to begin their work.
Please keep the Search Committee and the Cathedral in your prayers, and please be sure to thank these committee members for agreeing to devote themselves to the important task of identifying our new Dean.
Update by Guy Hagstette 06/01/2023
I have big news to share about the future of this church and its renewal.
Last Wednesday evening the Search Committee presented its recommendation for our new dean to the Vestry.
The search committee was unanimous and enthusiastic in making the recommendation, and after the Vestry learned more, it voted unanimously and enthusiastically to approve.
This has been quite a month during which I truly witnessed the Holy Spirit in action as these decisions were being made, although I must say the Holy Spirit and the rest of us were definitely being gently and persistently nudged along by Linnet Deily.
Her leadership has been inspiring and unwavering, and the entire Search Committee has performed remarkably on behalf all of us and the Cathedral’s future since last October. It involved hard work over more than seven months – which is a long time to be meeting every week – with homework assignments in between, and many trips to places near and far.
When she heard the news, the Diocesan Transition Minister Kellaura Johnson reacted with a: “Wow! Y’all are quick!,” which to me is a way of saying this is a job well done.
We have now entered the final stage of the process which is in the Vestry’s hands. Our presumptive new dean has accepted our call, but there are many details to be worked out before we can announce a name. We are still feeling Linnet’s nudges, and the Vestry will do our best to complete our work thoroughly and quickly.
In the meantime, the Search Committee and Vestry are sworn to confidentiality as we all keep in mind there is another church community that will be affected by this news. Please pray for the Vestry and our new dean in the coming weeks and in thanksgiving for the Search Committee and its outstanding work.
Thank you.
Guy Hagstette
Senior Warden
March Update II By Eric Hagstette
February Update By Kristin Johnson
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