Update on Future Plans for CCA

Thank you for praying for our Christ Church staff, Vestry, and the Rector Search Committee over this past year, and especially the past several difficult months. My theology is such that I believe that sincere prayers are always answered, even if God answers in unexpected ways or ways that we might not even want. This past weekend we had several lengthy meetings with some of our congregation’s leaders to consider the lessons learned from our recent search that, from all aspects except the outcome, was extraordinarily inclusive, thorough and prayerful. Out of our discussions, and in consultation with Bishop Keith Andrews and Bishop Trevor Walters, we have come to see a number of congregational issues and challenges that need to be addressed before another search process can be launched. These issues are already being addressed, many of them going all the way back to the call of our first rector twelve years ago. The Vestry is working closely with our bishop exploring the possibility of having among us a long-term Interim Rector to work with Father Matt and the church staff so that Christ Church maintains its high sense of worship and ministry in Phoenix and beyond. We are a congregation with a strong spirit for God and for one another, and I believe that we will emerge from this time much stronger. Please keep praying, serving, caring and giving. I will always be grateful to God for you who have supported Ellen and me so well in every way as our friends.

Gratefully,
Chuck Collins