A story about Christ Church Montpelier by Nancy Davidge was featured as part of ECF Vital Practice’s Vestry Papers issue on Leading Change.
“Even with one of its historic stone walls in danger of falling down, things are looking up at Christ Episcopal Church in Montpelier, Vermont.
In February 2014, Christ Church learned it was one of five Vermont Episcopal Churches selected to participate in the Strategic Investment for Sacred Spaces program, a partnership between the Episcopal Church in Vermont, the United Church of Christ in Vermont, Partners for Sacred Spaces, and the Preservation Trust of Vermont. Underwritten in part by The Lilly Endowment, the program will help Christ Church rebuild and renovate their historic and sacred church.
This designation came about, in part, because of the work begun several years ago following the retirement of a rector who had served the congregation for 20 years. Taking advantage of an opportunity to explore different ways of being a congregation, members of Christ Church moved towards a mutual ministry model, adopting a leadership style more collaborative than hierarchical.
What developed during this process was a call for a new, three quarter time priest. This ‘priest in partnership’ would partner with the vestry to lead the congregation with the lay members setting the agenda and leading all vestry meetings.”