To Calvary's potential rector:

With a distinguished history of making God’s love visible in downtown Memphis since 1832, Calvary Episcopal Church is blessed with substantial resources in the form of physical plant, endowment, and, most importantly, a talented and diverse congregation. Calvary has an impressive and laudable reputation for hospitality, inclusivity, and urban outreach ministry. For the right priest, this will be a place to engage in creative and well produced liturgy, the problems and benefits of an urban environment, and a congregation of great generosity and talent.

Calvary has not been immune to the forces of change in the Episcopal Church as well as changes in the southern United States. The trend here and elsewhere is towards a more open leadership and a sharing of the task of discerning Calvary’s future. I believe that the people of Calvary have reviewed and revised their understanding of the roles of congregation and rector and are ready to try a new model of church leadership appropriate to this time and this place. That does not mean that the process of healing is entirely finished, nor does it mean that there is a sharply defined box into which the parish will place the new rector. What this does mean – and this is the exciting part – is that there is room to explore how everyone’s gifts and sense of call can be honored to make this a strong Body of Christ that has the strength and agility to move and, at times, dance in a rapidly changing world.

While the people of Calvary will continue to have strong and varied opinions about ministry in the 21st century, they will also continue to have their greatest gift: love of God and love of their neighbors in the pews next to them and in the city beyond the doors.

So read the profile carefully and prayerfully to discern if the Spirit is calling you to be Calvary’s twenty-first rector.

Blessings,

The Rev. Philip Wiehe

Interim Rector