Sunday, May 3, 2026
Dear St. Bart’s Community,
We write with news that, while different from what we originally anticipated, fills us with excitement and hope for St. Bart’s future. After deep discernment with Bishop Matthew Heyd, who has guided and blessed this decision, the Vestry has postponed our current Rector search and approved the appointment of the Reverend Peter D. Thompson as Priest-in-Charge for up to three years. In the spring of 2028, we will begin a new, full Rector search, open to all qualified candidates, including Peter.
Why this path? Our Search Committee did extraordinary, faithful work, and what they found surprised us. The parish survey and listening sessions revealed something remarkable: St. Bart’s is thriving. Growing. More diverse, more engaged, more alive with energy and momentum. To see such vitality during an interim period made us ask a sincere question—is this the right moment to begin another transition, or is more time needed to let that momentum deepen and take root?
We brought that question to Bishop Heyd, and through patient conversation and prayer, this appointment became our answer. Peter is excited to lead our shared ministry. We believe his continued leadership will strengthen the financial stability and congregational growth that St. Bart’s has worked so hard to achieve, to the benefit of St. Bart’s, its mission, and the future search.We are grateful beyond words to our Search Committee for their devoted care, to Bishop Heyd and to Canons Alissa Newton and Lisa Ahuja for their counsel, and to each of you for your faithfulness to this parish.St. Bart’s future is bright. We look forward to it with joy.
Please keep Peter and this beloved community in your prayers.
Yours in Christ,
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On Sunday, February 1, 2026, Liza Page Nelson and Keith Rook, co-chairs, and the Rector Search Committee hosted a Town Hall to share details about the search process for St. Bart's fourteenth rector.
Rector Search FAQ
Additional FAQs will be added as we move through the process.
What is the "pitch" to a prospective rector? Why choose St. Bart's over other big churches?
We haven't developed a "pitch" because we're not "selling" St. Bart's. We're telling St. Bart's story through the Parish Profile: who we are, what we value, the key challenges we face, and the future we hope for. We trust that the right priest will recognize her/him/themself in our story, see opportunity, and sense God already at work among us. It’s about discerning a mutual call rather than choosing us over another church.
What are the big opportunities for the next rector?
We believe that telling St. Bart's story through the Parish Profile invites people to identify the opportunities that resonate most strongly for them, which is part of the mutual discernment in the first question. Rather than present a "top 3 to 5" list, we've left space for people to see and imagine things we did not.
What about the waiting period while we wait and candidates wait? What about their present jobs?
During the search, candidates continue fully in their present roles. They remain committed to their churches while quietly exploring whether this might be their next call. For us, we continue as we have been, with our wonderful team of clergy and lay staff. It’s a season of waiting, praying, and discerning — doing today’s work well while trusting God with what comes next.
What can I do to help the search committee and the vestry?
Please pray for the rector search committee and the vestry. Share the news that St. Bart’s is searching for a new rector with your friends and acquaintances, and encourage potential candidates to apply once the search goes live. Finally, please continue to support the church during this transition period by giving joyously and generously of your time, talent and monetary treasure.
If I have any other questions regarding the search process, whom should I contact?
Please send your questions to , or ask one of the members of the rector search committee directly. The members are: Liza Page Nelson and Keith Rook (co-chairs), Sarah Bessey, David Budd, Scott Compton, Mariel Glover, David Hilder, Bob Kiely, Elizabeth Min, Kari Parks, Karen Raven, Keith Reinhard, Jeremy Russell, and Alice Yurke