A message from the Vestry:

As we move into this next chapter, please know that your Vestry is walking thoughtfully, faithfully and prayerfully through every step and we’ll provide updates when they’re available. Until then, we ask our St. Catherine's family to remain in prayer and to continue serving and worshipping together, just as we always have.

We know it’s natural to want clarity, updates, or something concrete to hold onto during a season like this. Our encouragement is this: stay hopeful, stay prayerful, and stay connected to one another. To help everyone feel informed, we also plan to include a brief update in The Wheel once a month — even if the update is simply that the process is continuing as it should.

There may be stretches when we don’t have new updates to share, and that’s completely normal. We’re following the careful, step‑by‑step transition process laid out by the Diocese of Atlanta that has been used by faithful parishes across the diocese for many years. Please be assured that your wardens, Rebekah and Scott, are in regular communication with the diocesan transition team, and even in the quiet moments, the process is moving forward as it should. 

Common Questions in this Season

What is an Interim Rector, and when will we meet ours?

As we mentioned at the annual meeting, we are hopeful to welcome an Interim Rector in place by Holy Week. If the timing stretches beyond Holy Week, please don’t worry. We are blessed with wonderful supply priests who already know and love St. Cat’s and are happy to step in to ensure continuity in worship. 

Sunday mornings will still happen. 

The Eucharist will still be celebrated. 

And God will absolutely still show up. 

An interim rector is an experienced priest who serves during the transition. Think of them as a steady shepherd for this in-between season. They will preach, celebrate the sacraments, offer pastoral care and help guide us as we reflect on who we are and how the Holy Spirit is moving among us. The interim period isn’t just “holding down the fort.” It’s an important time of preparation, clarity and growth.

I heard something about a Search Committee. What is that?

As the process unfolds, the vestry will eventually form a Search Committee made up of a diverse group of St. Catherine's faithful. Once that team is in place, they’ll begin their work as a separate, focused body, supported by a diocesan search consultant. After their period of listening, discernment, and candidate conversations, the Search Committee will present their final candidates to the vestry. From there, the vestry will prayerfully choose the next rector of St. Catherine's.

And yes… we miss Bayton.

Bayton spoiled us all. We’ll have to wait and see what the future holds — including any four-legged clergy companions. A few parishioners have already lobbied for a parish cat. After all, we are St. CATherine’s.

We’ll continue sharing updates as we know more. Feel free to reach out to any of us if you have questions, concerns, or simply need to talk as we move forward together in faith, hope, and community.

Faithfully,

Your St. Catherine's Vestry