The cherry blossoms have peaked right on time! This coming Sunday is traditionally known as “Laetare Sunday” in the season of Lent. That Latin word means something like “rejoice.” Rose or pink are the colors associated with Laetare Sunday. (Some very traditional parishes have a special set of rose vestments that are only used for this one Sunday each year! But we will just look for the flowering trees and other signs of spring.) This fourth Sunday is meant to be something of a respite from the austerity and deprivation of the Lenten season; because even in the darkest of times, we need to fan the embers of joy and hope. It’s a way to keep going: reminding one another that light and life are possible. I look forward to sharing Laetare Sunday with you!

On another note, I want to share a brief update on our search for an Associate Rector. (You can review the description of this full-time position here.) Our process is underway, and since January we have received four statements of interest for the position. We have conducted a series of interviews with one applicant—first with me, then with a small team led by Senior Warden Ann Wetherell and comprised of five leaders who worship at 9, 11, and 1:00, and then again with me for reflection and follow-up on that group interview experience. References have been checked, and in the next couple of weeks the applicant will visit Portland for an in-person visit. After that, we trust we will know if this is the right priest for St. Michael’s at this time. If so, we will move forward to finalize the details of a call.

If you were wondering why we haven’t had more to say along the way, please remember that confidentiality is so important—especially because with clergy there is often another parish to be impacted by news of a transition. We need to work through the application process and details of a call before exposing whole parish communities to the ups and downs of a discernment process.

I am very excited about the possibility of completing our full-time clergy team to walk with St. Michael’s into God’s future for us. Please pray for everyone involved in this process.

With you,

R. Scott Painter, Rector
Email: scottp@stmaa.org