Thank you to everyone who took part in our parish survey. Of the 494 parishioners invited, 150 responded—equivalent to 74% of our average weekly worship attendance. That excellent response gives us a rich and reliable picture of St. John’s today.

This week, the search committee met by Zoom with Holy Cow! Consulting for a detailed debriefing on the results. Roughly 72% of respondents are clearly satisfied with parish life, and the consultants noted that this positions St. John’s well for growth and wider impact. Looking ahead, members named four top goals: reaching new people and welcoming them into the life of the church, attracting families with children and youth, strengthening pastoral care for people in times of need, and deepening our generosity in support of the church’s ministry. The survey also identified inclusiveness and advocacy as particular strengths.

As our consultants reminded us, survey data is not the end of a conversation but the beginning. A one- or two-page summary of the results will be shared with the congregation, and the full report will be available in the church office for anyone who would like to review it. We are now moving into the next phase of the search: small-group listening sessions, which began this week. These conversations will help us test and deepen what the survey revealed as we prepare to call our next rector.

Search Committee members will be reaching out to active groups within the parish (e.g., Dinner Church, Altar Guild and Usher volunteers) as well as hosting congregation-wide listening sessions on Sunday, November 8, and Sunday, November 15 (times and locations TBD.) We hope to provide multiple opportunities for you to take part in these sessions so that everyone’s voice can be heard.

Please keep the committee and our parish in your prayers.

(updated 10/29/26)