Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a rector for this parish that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— Book of Common Prayer, pg. 818
In October 2023, our beloved Rector, The Rev. Stephanie Allen accepted a call to be the Canon for Leadership Development in the Diocese of East Carolina. We then entered a period of transition, during which The Rev. Stephany Yancy and The Rev. Dr. Cathy Deats served as Co-interim Rectors. After a successful search, The Rev. Grey Maggiano was called as the next Rector of Church of the Nativity.
Projected Timeline
Note: The dates on this timeline are only intended as a rough guideline, and are subject to change.
| ✔️ | Rector announces departure. |
| ✔️ | Vestry meets with Bishop Sam Rodman and Canon Catherine Massey to review transition process. |
| ✔️ | Vestry selects search style, with advice from Bishop Rodman. |
| ✔️ | Vestry forms Search Committee. |
| ✔️ | Search Committee meets with Canon Massey to review next steps. |
| ✔️ | Search Committee decides to gather data needed for writing and completing the Parish Portfolio (a/k/a Parish OTM Portfolio) via a congregational meeting along with an online survey for those unable to attend. |
| ✔️ | Congregational Meeting to gather data for the Parish Portfolio is held on Sunday, February 4, 2024, at 10:30 am in Corlett Hall. Canon Massey facilitates. |
| ✔️ | Survey goes out to congregation immediately following February 4 Congregational Meeting. |
| ✔️ | Parish Portfolio is completed by Search Committee. (Projected Completion Date: Mid-March, 2024) |
| ✔️ | Parish Portfolio is posted on both the Diocese’s website and Nativity’s website. (Projected Completion Date: April, 2024) |
| ✔️ | Search Committee meets with Canon Massey to review next steps in search process. |
| ✔️ | Search Committee conducts discernment conversations with priests. (Projected Completion Date: Late Spring/Early Summer 2024) |
| ✔️ | Search Committee asks Canon to conduct “pre-flight checks”. |
| ✔️ | Bishop Rodman interviews final three (3) candidates. |
| ✔️ | Search Committee recommends one (1) name to the Vestry. |
| ✔️ | Vestry conducts a discernment conversation with that priest. |
| ✔️ | Senior Warden phones Canon Massey/Bishop Rodman for verbal Permission to Call. |
| ✔️ | Vestry asks Canon Massey to initiate Secure Search Faith Background Check. |
| ✔️ | Vestry calls priest and negotiates Letter of Agreement with assistance of Canon Massey. |
| ✔️ | Vestry writes Bishop Rodman to request written Permission to Call. |
| ✔️ | New Rector, Senior Warden, Canon Massey and Bishop Rodman sign the Letter of Agreement. |
| ✔️ | The New Rector of Nativity is announced! |
Search Committee
- Beth Crow, Chair
- Morghan Bosch
- Matt Dutton
- Susan Edwards
- Robert Joines
- Anne Krouse
- Allison Martin
- Sarah O’Connor
- Emily Phillips.
Latest Transition Post
- Farewell Letter from our Co-interim Rectors
by The Rev. Stephanie Yancy and The Rev. Dr. Cathy Deats
Dear Nativity Friends,
It’s been so much fun to be with you these past eight months as your interim co-rectors. We have watched as you continued to be church without missing a beat. Your always meaningful worship and faithful service to the community have inspired us. Your openness to new things has made it easy for us to fit in as well as to lead. We have benefitted from what The Rev. Diane Corlett told you, “You can’t make a mistake on the altar.” This has enabled us to lead worship in a truly centered and holy place.
We have also enjoyed breaking ground in the Diocese by serving as Co-Interim Rectors. This type of collaborative relationship has not been utilized before, and we are glad to say it worked so well here.
Now you are beginning a different phase of transition. We know you will welcome Grey and his family as warmly as you welcomed us. As you form your relationship with your new priest, please remember that your pastoral relationship with us will be ending.
We are excited to see where the Spirit will lead you. Be assured that you continue in our prayers.
Faithfully,
Cathy and Stephanie
All Transition Posts
- Farewell Letter from our Co-interim Rectors
- Rev. Grey Maggiano Called as Rector
- June 20 Transition Update
- May 30 Transition Update
- May 2 Transition Update
- April 25 Transition Update
- April 18 Transition Update
- April 11 Transition Update
- April 4 Transition Update
- March 28 Transition Update
- March 21 Transition Update
- March 14 Transition Update
- March 8 Transition Update
- March 1 Transition Update
- February 23 Transition Update
- February 16 Transition Update
- February 9 Transition Update
- January 26 Transition Update
- December 29 Transition Update
- December 22 Transition Update
- December 15 Transition Update
- December 8 Transition Update
- December 1 Transition Update
- November 24 Transition Update
- November 17 Transition Update
- November 10 Transition Update
- November 3 Transition Update
- October 27 Transition Update
- October 20 Transition Update
- October 13 Transition Update
- A Message From Your Wardens
Stephanie Allen’s Farewell
You can read about Stephanie Allen’s farewell in this blog post.