TLDR: Transition for the clergy and parish takes about a year.
The Diocese of Texas is fairly clear on their transition rules for clergy exiting a parish. My friends in Christ, this is the difficult part of the transition, I am going to copy and paste for you what the clergy manual states on transition so that you know exactly what the Bishop expects of the clergy.
The Bishop expects that once a clergyperson leaves a congregation, he or she will bring closure to pastoral relationships with members of that congregation. The health of the congregation is dependent upon how well the transition issue is managed. Former parishioners should understand from the clergy in a positive and affirming way that it is not appropriate to continue a pastoral relationship.
The Bishop expects that the clergyperson will accept no further requests from members and former members of the congregation to provide pastoral services at weddings, funerals, baptisms, or any other occasion of public worship for at least one year.
After one year, clergy may accept invitations from the interim rector or rector, but may not solicit such invitations. (Episcopal Diocese of Texas Clergy Manual, 4.9)
This means that from July 1, 2023 through July 1, 2024, I will not have any pastoral relationships continuing from St. Dunstan’s after I leave on June 15. It is not that I do not wish to see all of you and know how you are faring; the fact of the matter is that you have three extraordinary priests who serve you and it would not be fair to intrude upon their cure. (see section 2.9 of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas Clergy Manual). I have made this transition before, when I was a lay person, and there are difficult moments. Specifically, when there was a death, baptism, or confirmation that I would have wished to see.
The last time that I made this transition, my sweet eldest child was eight and she was hurt by leaving the church that she had always known. Still, when we landed at St. Dunstan’s a year later, she found a home ready to welcome her and was able to make the transition, because I had allowed space for her to grieve and grow. This time, Faith is struggling the most with our departure. She adores Fr. Roman and thinks that Fr. Alvaro is “the smartest.” She will likely see them at diocesan events.
I cannot initiate any contact with parishioners, so I will wait for you to contact me. If it is a pastoral matter, I will refer someone to the excellent clergy at St. Dunstan’s; if it is about Rice, I will confer with Fr. Roman about the issues at hand. My children have friends in the parish and of course, those relationships will be nourished within the boundaries the diocese sees fit, however, I also understand if people do not reach out to me.
I am thrilled with my next call! I have been called to be the next Interim Episcopal Campus Missioner for Rice University - Autry House. As my role in their ministry, I hope to go out to parishes within 40 minutes of Rice (without traffic) and encourage a relationship with them so that the parish can send food and donations. My goal in this is simple: I want the students to feel connected to the larger Episcopal Church so that when they graduate and move (maybe to Northwest Houston) they find a loving and welcoming church that they feel comfortable attending. If the students are interested, in time, I may talk to Br. Allen about taking a team out to Hope Center for a day trip. Still, I will wait for the rector to invite me be part of this church after a year.
Today, I am likely feeling the bittersweet goodbye on the horizon. I can almost smell the food wafting in from the Potluck. Still, I recognize for each of you to move forward and take Leesa into your fold as your new pastor. Transition takes time, and though I will no longer be with you in worship, you remain ever present in my heart.
For His Sake,
Mtr. Beth Anne +
