Today’s CliffNotes post comes from Christ Church’s Vestry
Dear Christ Church Family,
Thank you for your support and prayers over the past couple of months as we’ve gone through a full and formal process of discernment to seek who the Lord is calling next to lead Christ Church. With exceedingly great joy, we announce that The Rev. Matt Dampier has accepted our offer to serve as the next Rector of Christ Church.
To many, this news comes as no surprise because we’ve witnessed Fr. Matt’s excellent character, skillful leadership, and pastoral love and care over the years he’s served as Associate Rector. Such an important and impactful decision for the Church and for the Dampiers needed thorough, thoughtful, prayerful consideration.
The Interview Team’s discernment process included extended interviews, multiple Q&A’s, an outside ministry staffing consultant, professional assessments, prayer, and discussion. The consensus opinion was that Fr. Matt brings a combination of spiritual depth, professional acumen, and strong alignment with the values and vision of Christ Church, and the team unanimously and wholeheartedly recommended him for the role. We’re very grateful to the Interview Team for all the time and prayer they gave to this process. We’re also grateful to have received Bishop Todd’s affirmation and blessing.
This process was sacred and vital for all involved as it allowed the opportunity to hear each other, seek God, ask deep questions, and know each other’s hearts. It’s abundantly clear that Matt deeply loves this community, and is called to lead Christ Church. You can send Fr. Matt a note of welcome or blessing right here. We thank God for His guidance and provision!
Christ Church has been incredibly blessed with two exceptional leaders in Cliff and Matt, who have mutual respect, admiration, and affection for each other, and are committed to working together in the transition over the next few months, which will officially take place after Easter. Matt will be taking a month off during Lent to push pause and prepare for his new role while Cliff continues to lead us.
As we joyfully look forward to a new season under Matt’s leadership, we’ll also be looking back with gratitude and begin the process of saying goodbye to Cliff. Good beginnings need good endings, and we ask for your support and prayers to do both well.
Thanks be to God for His love and provision!
Leslie Cameron (Sr Warden), Nate Bruce, Kyle Frazier, Bryson Owen, Sarah Hadd, Sara Schultz, and Hannah Wong
P.S. This Sunday service will be a Liturgy Tour where we will learn the meaning behind each part of Sunday morning liturgy. We look forward to worshipping with you!