christ episcopal church

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Christ Episcopal ChurchGUILFORD, CONNECTICUT

Parish Profle


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Table of ContentsT his document is intended to providecandidates for rector with a clear,accurate, and comprehensive pictureof Christ Episcopal Church, Guilford. It includes information on the Guilford community, how our churchs history and its current parish life and ministries helpsustain its members, and what we see asour major strengths and challenges as acongregation.

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Table of Contents ....................................................................... 1

Parish Mission Statement ........................................................... 2

The Search Committees Mission Statement ............................. 2

Our Prayer .................................................................................. 2

Community Demographics ........................................................ 3

Our Parish History ..................................................................... 5

Telling Our Story ....................................................................... 6

Rectors of Christ Church, 1955-Present .................................... 6Parish Demographics ................................................................. 7

Parish Life .................................................................................. 8

Buildings and Grounds ............................................................. 9

Worship .....................................................................................11

Christian Education .................................................................. 12

Lay Ministry and Outreach ...................................................... 12

Evangelism ............................................................................... 12

Stewardship and Finances ........................................................ 13

Parish Administration............................................................... 16

Conclusion: Our Goals and Expectations ................................ 17

Further Expectations ................................................................ 18


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Parish Mission Statement

The Search Committees Mission Statement

Our Prayer

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We believe in God, who offers unconditional love, peace, forgiveness,and eternal life through Jesus Christ. We are a growing church familyblessed with a much-loved and historic landmark church on the GuilfordGreen. We are an enthusiastic, caring, and prayerful community commit-ted to welcoming all people who wish to join us on their spiritual journey.Together we worship, celebrate, and share our faith. We are grateful forthe abundance that God has given us, and we are committed to givingfaithfully in return. We enjoy an active fellowship with our parish, whilebuilding a program of outreach toward the local community and beyond.

Our mission is to call a new rector who will share our joy and gratitudefor Gods abundance, to build a program of active fellowship within ourown parish and a program of outreach toward the community and theworld, and to care for each other and our neighbors both at home andabroad.

D ear Lord, we at Christ Church look to your wisdom and guid-ance in assisting us in our journey to nd a rector for our church.We seek a person who will enlighten us through preaching and teaching, who will inspire and engage us in Christian education,who will encourage a commitment by all parishioners in serv-ing the needs of others, and will motivate our congregation tocelebrate the Gospel in word and deed. All this we ask of you sothat we may all come to know the love of Christ. Amen.


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Guilford was founded in 1639 as a small farming community. Slow changesover the next 300 years included the growth of specialty industries and devel-opment of the shoreline as a vacation/second home destination. The townsgreatest transformation occurred in the 1950s with the growth of the suburbsas bedroom communities for urban centers such as New Haven.

Todays Guilford is an enjoyable mix of the old and new. The town featuresNew Englands third-largest collection of antique residences. Four of these aremaintained as museums. Homes continue to be renovated or replaced in waysthat pay homage to the antique New England avor of the town. The commu -nity actively works to protect and preserve its most valuable natural habitats.Dedicated open space owned by the town and the Guilford Land Trust exceeds5,000 acres. The proximity to Long Island Sound provides a variety of outdoorrecreational opportunities, including town beaches.

The current population of Guilford is approximately22,000. Although the U.S. Census Bureau data from2000 categorizes the population as 96% white, thecommunity contains a relatively broad cross-sectionof ages, educational levels, and professions. Twenty-seven percent of its residents are under 19 years old,and 25% are over 55. Forty-nine percent of adultshave attained a bachelors degree and 24% have grad-uate or professional level degrees. Of the 2009 highschool graduating class, 95% are planning on continu-

ing their education. The median family income is over$85,000, and less than 2.5% of families are consideredbelow the poverty level. Home ownership is at 85%.Major employers include United Technologies, P zer,and Electric Boat, as well as many small businesses.Some of these have been local, family-run operationsfor generations.

Major health care providers include St. Raphaels and Yale/New Haven Hos-pital, which operates an emergency care center in Guilford. There are over 24colleges and universities within an hours drive, including Yale, Wesleyan, and

the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.The towns public school system includes four elementary schools, two middleschools, and a high school. Guilford enjoys a good reputation for academicachievement, music and drama, and youth sports programs.

The focal point of town is the Green, which is home to local shops and busi-nesses, four churches, the newly renovated Guilford Free Library, summerconcerts, festivals, and live theater. The Guilford Fair Grounds, less than onemile away, hosts a number of events, including the towns agricultural fair.

Community Demographics

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Just north of the Green is the Guilford Community and Senior Center. Thereare three senior housing complexes operated by the Guilford HousingAuthority.

Local mass transit is limited to the Shoreline East commuter rail service andthe Shoreline bus service. The town is convenient to I-95 and the Amtraknortheast corridor service. Two international airports are within 90 minutesdrive.

The town government is led by a ve-member Board of Selectmen. There is anew Public Safety Campus housing the Police, Fire, and Emergency Services.

A challenge for the town is the annual struggle to balance the bene ts of thequality school program with the costs required to maintain it. There is a lackof affordable housing for both rst-time home buyers and long-timehomeowners on xed incomes.

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Christ Episcopal Church (and rectory) isone of four churches bordering Guilfordsspacious, beautiful Green. Ecumenical Gatherings are only a few steps away.


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Christ Episcopal Church was founded by a Guilford native, The Rev. Dr.Samuel Johnson, in 1744 as a missionary outpost of the Church of Eng-land. There were eight founding families who met in each others homes,with itinerant missionaries leading the worship. Six years later, the rstchurch building was erected, a small wooden structure on the east side of the town Green. Dr. Johnson, who went on to become president of KingsCollege (now Columbia University), delivered the dedication sermon.

The original structure had no pews or window glass, and sheep and goatswandered through the congregation. During the rst 13 years of its exis -tence, Christ Church had no priest, and services were led by lay readers.By 1764, the congregation had grown large enough to call its rst rector,The Rev. Bela Hubbard. Money was raised for pews, windows, and a pul-pit for the new minister.

During the Revolutionary War, the building suffered from lawless vio-lence. The lead from the window sashes is said to have been melted downfor bullets to be red at King Georges soldiers. In 1834, the vestry de -cided to abandon the original building and over the next two years raised$8,000 to construct a new church. The present stone church faces theGreen, almost directly opposite from where the original building stood. Itwas dedicated on December 12, 1838. Built in 1820, the adjacent rectorywas bequeathed to Christ Church in 1889 by The Rev. Lorenzo Bennett.

In 1952, The Rev. Gilbert Baker was called as rector and later became theBishop of Hong Kong. He is the only former rector of Christ Church to becalled to the Episcopate.

In 1955, the church called The Rev. Bradford B. Locke, Jr.. With thecompletion of the Connecticut Turnpike to Guilford, new residents swelledthe parish membership, and attendance at weekly services grew to 300 ormore. In 1961, some of our families transferred to the newly founded St.Andrews in Madison. A period of declining stewardship, membership,and church activity began in the 1970s. As a result, the property fell intodisrepair.

After 40 years of service, Father Locke retired in 1995. During the next

two years, under the interim leadership of The Rev. David Parachini, theparish slowly started to rebuild. In the fall of 1997, the vestry called TheRev. Norman M. MacLeod III to be the 16th rector of Christ Church.

Our Parish History

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Many improvements in both the parish community and the church prop-erty occurred under Father MacLeods leadership. The Sunday schoolgrew, and we hired our rst paid director of Christian education. Manynew programs were initiated, and membership and pledges continued toincrease. We conducted a major capital campaign, raising nearly half amillion dollars to renovate the church buildings and to purchase and installa new pipe organ in the balcony. In the spring of 2008, Father MacLeodwas called to the position as Interim Rector at St. James Church in Keene,New Hampshire. Our current Interim Rector, The Rev. Anthony C. Dinoto,arrived in June of 2008.

Over 50 members of the parish attended the Telling Our Story sessionin June of 2008. Individuals were grouped according to the decade duringwhich they rst came to Christ Church. Those who came during the 1960sand earlier remembered a time of unprecedented growth, which culminat-ed in the formation of the new parish of St. Andrews in Madison. Thosewho arrived in the 1970s found a church that re ected the many changesoccurring in the larger society, including an increased interest in new anddifferent forms of liturgy. Many recalled the energizing experience of a

Faith Alive weekend at Christ Church. However, during the 1980s, bynot including women in our liturgical ministries, we did not follow thelead of the National Church. The 1982 Hymnal was not placed in the pewsuntil 1995. The 1980s and early 1990s saw both dwindling attendance anddeclining stewardship pledges, resulting in deferred maintenance of ourbuildings and grounds. Members who arrived during the last dozen yearshave found Christ Church once again to be a growing and thriving faithcommunity, with a large in ux of young families. During both periodsof growth and decline, one constant has always been a dedicated core of members in our parish.

Rectors of Christ Church, 1955-Present The Rev. Bradford B. Locke, 1955-1995. Retired.

The Rev. Norman M. MacLeod III, 1997-2008. Moved to Keene, NH.

Telling Our Story

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From the 2008 Parish Survey

A survey of the congregation was performed in 2008 to gather current

information about the composition of our parish. The response rate wasapproximately 25% of the surveys mailed, and the following statisticaldata are the results from those responding members. Younger families areunder-represented in these responses. The occupations of our parishionersare primarily professional and academic.

Parish Demographics

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AGE

16-22 .................................... 2%23-40 ..................................11%41-50 ...................................16%51-65 ................................. 26%65+ ......................................45%

GENDERMale ......................................30%Female ...................................70%

EDUCATIONHigh school ........................... 6%Technical ............................... 3%

College ................................. 44%Graduate ............................... 41%Other ...................................... 3%

YEARS ATTENDING CHRISTCHURCH

Under 2 yrs. ........................... 1%2-5 yrs. .................................. 25%6-10 yrs. ................................ 24%11-20 yrs. .............................. 17%Over 20 yrs. ........................... 32%

SERVICE PREFERENCE8 oclock Rite I ...................... 23%10 oclock Rite II .................. 68%8 or 10 ................................... 9%

MARITAL STATUSSingle .................................... 9%Married ................................ 69%Partnered ............................... 2%Divorced ............................... 6%Widowed ............................. 11%

CHILDREN LIVING AT HOMENursery school .................... 15%Pre-K ................................... 10%Kindergarten.......................... 7%Grammar school .................. 32%Middle school ...................... 14%High school ......................... 10%College ................................ 12%

FREQUENCY OF ATTENDANCEWeekly ................................ 57%Twice a month ..................... 11%Three times a month ............ 20%Occasionally ........................ 9%Easter/Christmas .................. 2%

TRAVEL TIME TO CHRISTCHURCH

15 minutes or less ................ 86%16 minutes or more ............. 14%

RAISED EPISCOPALYes ......................................... 52%No .......................................... 48%


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received a major facelift in 1998, but the kitchen and upstairs bath need updat-ing. This building has the exibility to be utilized in a wide variety of ways: asa single-family residence, combined residential and church program use, or asa source of rental income.

In 2008, the major work of restoring the exterior of the rectory was com-pleted. We plan a capital campaign in the next three to ve years to repay theloans for the rectory restoration and to nance other much-needed work.

Buildings and Grounds

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ENTRY

RECTORY

GUILD

ROOM

MEMORIAL GARDEN

KITCHEN

PARISH

HALL

NURSERY

V E S T I N G

R O O M S T

O R A G E

SACRISTY

NAVE

NARTHEX

CHANCEL

PARKING

TO PARISH HALL,SUNDAY SCHOOL

& RESTROOMS

ENTRYENTRY

ENTRY

ENTRY

ENTRY

ENTRY


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Worship

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The Holy Eucharist is the center of the expression of our faith and is celebratedevery Sunday at 8 and 10 a.m. Our liturgical style has become more broador middle church during the interim period, in contrast to the more lowchurch style of previous rectors.

Our 8 a.m. celebration follows Rite I of the Book of Common Prayer , and isattended by 20-25 people. The 10 a.m. family service follows Rite II, and isattended by 50-100 children and adults.

We are very proud of our music program, and it is one of the major strengthsof our worship together. Our recent organists/music directors have been gradu-ate students at the Institute for Sacred Music at Yale University, and have beenable to provide musicians from Yale for special occasions. The senior choirand choristers regularly perform Communion or Offertory anthems. Mem-

bers of our Cherub Choir (4-7 years old) also occasionally sing during theservice. Sunday school begins at 9:30, and the children join their families inthe church at the Peace. Lay liturgical assistants play an important role in ourworship services.

Special services include a healing service every Wednesday at noon, twoChristmas Eve services, and a Twelfth Night celebration. Holy Week includesTenebrae, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Great Vigil of Easter, and twoEaster morning services.


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Stewardship pledging at Christ Church is currently achieved through a Com-mitment Sunday/annual pledging model in the fall of each year. A mailing ismade to the parish and members are asked to determine their pledge commit-ment and to submit it either before or during the Commitment Sunday event.There is not an every-member visitation.

The stewardship chairman and the rector manage the Commitment Sundayprogram. The stewardship chairman manages other aspects of the stewardshipprocess. Currently there is no teaching about proportional or sacri cial giving,or tithing.

The audit is current and Christ Church is found by the auditor to be in compli-ance with normal and ordinary business practices. The nance committee isreviewing if we are fully in compliance with the Business Methods in Church

Affairs Manual.A draft budget is developed by the bookkeeper and the treasurer. The nancecommittee, including the rector, reviews the budget and proposes changes.The draft budget is forwarded to the vestry for consideration and approval.The budget is then presented to the parish at the annual meeting.

The nance committee holds monthly meetings that are attended by the rector.The committee reviews the treasurers monthly report, nancial statementsprepared by the bookkeeper, and any signi cant present and future issues.These are then presented to the vestry at its subsequent monthly meeting.

At this time, there are several restricted endowment funds together valued atapproximately $268,000. An unrestricted endowment fund also exists, butmust experience market recovery of $19,000 before it can be tapped, due toaccounting procedures the parish uses. Endowment assets have declined invalue signi cantly due to a history of unsustainable withdrawals, coupled withthe recent decline in the investment markets. A policy of withdrawing propor-tionate amounts from equity and xed income investments may have wors -ened the decline during years of stock market losses.

Stewardship giving has uctuated during the past ve years, generallyfollowing conditions in the economy: 2004: $184,330; 2005: $215,044;2006: $235,488; 2007: $231,234; 2008: $200,892.

After decades of spending more than income, the church budget was bal-anced in 2005 and 2006. De cits were again realized in 2007 at $7,149 and in2008 at $32,200. Through June 2009, there was a six-month shortfall of about$10,000. Giving in the rst six months of 2009 at $117,489 surpassed the rstsix months of 2008 at $90,042.

Rectory Renovations Debt

During 2008, extensive renovations were made to the exterior of the churchrectory. Loans of nearly $208,000 are outstanding from this project. These

Stewardship and Finances

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loans will need to be repaid by either a special fundraising program or byincorporating the balance into a capital campaign.

Need for a Capital Campaign

We anticipate the need for a capital campaign within the next three to veyears. The last campaign was in 2001 and raised over $430,000 for anorgan, church roof, painting, windows, handicap-accessible bathroom, churchgrounds, and many other projects. A capital campaign for 2010 and beyondcould raise funds for the rectory restoration debt, additional work on the rec-tory interior, and projects within the church and parish hall. A capital cam-paign can also be used to raise awareness of planned giving strategies andtechniques and could be used to help rebuild the endowment.

Historic Pledging Statistics

8 years ago 5 years ago 3 years ago Present

Number of pledging units 71 99 97 90

Average weekly pledge $21.31 $27.03 $32.95 $33.91

Total pledges $78,662 $139,148 $166,192 $158,693


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2008 Jan. - June 2009 Jan. - June

Music Support

Prior Year Pledges

Pledge Payments

Easter/Christmas

Plate

Donations

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Giving from January to June in 2008 & 2009

Plate and Pledge Giving


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Summary of Budget Presented at the 2009 Annual Meeting

INCOME Proposed 2008 Actual 2008 Proposed 2009

Giving in Support of General PuposesPledge Payments & Prior Cash 242,055.00 177,894.01 215,700.00Plate Offerings 8,000.00 6,378.48 6,400.00Easter & Christmas 6,000.00 13,809.23 5,300.00Other 0.00 13,783.23 13,500.00Total 256,055.00 203,448.03 240,900.00

Income from Other Sources:

Income from Investments 15,000.00 15,634.46 15,500.00Use of the Church Properties 13,000.00 13,551.00 14,550.00

Total of General Purpose Income 284,055.00 232,633.49 270,950.00Total Special Purposes 15,100.00 7,809.67 1,599.00

Income Total 299,155.00 240,443.16 272,450.00

EXPENSESDisbursements - Outside Diocesan Pledge 30,865.00 28,292.00 32,957.00Special Offer - Outreach 8,000.00 0.00 0.00

Disbursements - WithinTotal Salaries & Related Expenses 174,631.00 154,536.49 173,034.99Total Church Programs 42,400.00 45,501.13 30,130.0Total Plant Expenses 42,259.00 45,981.61 36,288.00Uncategorized Expenses 0.00 332.19 0.00Total Parish Operating Expenses 298,155.00 274,643.42 272,409.99

Net Income 1,000.00 -32,200.26 40.01

ADDITIONAL CASH OUTFLOWDiocesan Loan/GPA Loan -15,971.32Cash Position with Debt ServiceSEEK $20,000 in Seed Capital for Capital Campaign 16,000.00

Income with Debt Service 28.68


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Vestry

The vestry of Christ Church usually consists of 12 members. Nine of these are

regular vestry members elected for staggered three-year terms at the annualmeeting. The other three hold the of ces of senior warden, junior warden,and treasurer and are also elected at the annual meeting, along with the par-ish clerk, for one-year terms. The parish by-laws set limits for these electedof cers of three consecutive one-year terms. The vestry meets monthly fromSeptember to July, and meetings are chaired by the rector. Members are alsoexpected to attend an annual event planning session as well as a yearly spiri-tual retreat.

Some vestry members chair or serve on parish committees. Often the juniorwarden assumes the role of chair of buildings and grounds, and the treasurer

serves as chair of the nance committee.

Paid Staff

The part-time (30 hr. per week with pension bene ts) parish administrator co -ordinates the calendar of events for church and use of the facilities by outsidegroups, publishes the weekly service bulletins, maintains church records, andassists in day-to-day operations.

The part-time music director/organist works with the rector in selecting ser-vice music and conducts the choirs. Choir practices are on Thursday evenings.The current director graduates from the Yale School of Sacred Music in June2010 and a replacement will need to be hired.

The part-time director of Christian education is responsible for the elementaryschool-level Sunday school program. The director works with the rector ondecisions concerning curriculum and schedule, and coordinates the coverageof classes by the volunteer teaching staff. Filling the position of the Sundaynursery attendant is a continual challenge.

The sexton works part-time to maintain the church and parish hall and helpsprepare for and clean up after speci c events. Routine grounds maintenanceand snow removal are contracted out to a local provider.

The bookkeeper is an independent contractor who manages account payablesand receivables, as well as employee and donor tax reports. This person assiststhe treasurer in preparing nancial reports and in the formulation of the annualbudget.

Volunteers

As noted above, there are many volunteers who serve as Sunday school teach-ers, coordinators of liturgical assistants, and facilitators of parish events.

Parish Administration

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The following four goals have been selected as most important for Christ Church and our next rector. Like books on the shelf, these goals lean against each other for support and strength. The rst and fourth goals address ourspirituality, and, like bookends, they provide support to all our future work together.

1. Stewardship

Goal - to enlighten us through preaching and teaching so that we may ex-perience the transformation from givers responding to budget needs intogivers responding joyously to Gods gifts to us.

Clergy expectation - to provide strong leadership and a vision to incorpo-rate stewardship into the year-round life of the church.

2. Christian Education

Goal - to inspire and engage all ages in Christian education and to enrichand strengthen the understanding of our Episcopal heritage.

Clergy expectation - to be grounded in Episcopal traditions, and to exposeus to the array of available resources to meet the education needs of thecongregation.

3. Outreach/Inreach

Goal - to encourage a commitment by all parishioners to be involved inserving the needs of others, both here and beyond our community.

Clergy expectation - to join with parish leadership to explore opportuni-ties that support and facilitate growth in our outreach to the world andinreach to our faith community.

4. Spiritual Life

Goal - to motivate our congregation to celebrate the Gospel of JesusChrist in word and deed and to offer experiences that deepen our spiri-tual life in Christian fellowship.

Clergy expectation - to be a shepherd who leads us in the discipline of prayer, by opening our eyes, ears, and hearts to God so we may discernhow members of Christ Church can be disciples of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion: Our Goals and Expectations

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We expect that the new rector will:

Be a caring, sincere listener, who respects con dentiality

Be forgiving and compassionate

Re ect faith in daily life

Be open to other peoples ideas

Accept criticism

Support parish programs

Be involved in the Guilford community and ecumenical programs

Be in concert with the Diocese Be an effective communicator

Be an inspirational preacher

Acknowledge limitations, boundaries, and has integrity

Have a sense of humor

What the new rector can expect from the congregation:

T ime and patience during the transition period

Warm and welcoming

Accepting of new and innovative ideas

Enthusiastic support

W illing and eager to cooperate

Ready to meet new challenges

Talent that can be recruited Dedication to the continued growth of the parish

Further Expectations

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We wish to express our thanks to the Diocese of Connecticut, especially tothose involved in transition ministry, for their guidance and support duringour search process.

The Rt. Rev. Andrew D. Smith, Bishop

The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens, Suffragan Bishop

The Rt. Rev. James E. Curry, Suffragan Bishop

The Rev. Erik W. Larsen, Canon for Transition Ministry

The Rev. Anthony C. Dinoto, Interim Rector

2009 VestryEdward Seibert, Sr. Warden David Kish, Jr. Warden

Dirck Goss, Treasurer Kasha Kingsbury, Clerk

Kay Claiborn Dana Schneider

Ted Culotta Cindy Smith

Bob Donahue Diana Stovall

William Glover Jean Valentine

Rob Hutchison Rhoda Whitman

Search CommitteeDiane Barker Richard Marvin

Gene Bishop Tom McGuigan

Jennie Hamilton Susan C. Shackford

Carol Iovanna Diana Stovall

David Jones Rhoda WhitmanEvelyn Linskey

Jane Inrig, Diocesan Consultant

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Christ Episcopal Church

11 PARK STREETGUILFORD, CONNECTICUT 06437

203-453-2279www.ChristChurchGuilford.org

christ episcopal church

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