A Time of Transition and Growth

After 19 years as a part of the Church of the Holy Spirit family, Rev. Kathy Andonian retired in June 2023 and moved to a new home with her husband Marc. 

While we miss Rev. Kathy’s presence and guidance, this time creates an opening for new types of congregational growth and development. It is a time of discernment and listening to God’s will, of understanding who we are and where we are, reflecting on our strengths and imagining our future. 

Our Vestry has engaged a respected and well-known consultant, The Rev. Barbara Abbott to work with us and guide us through the stages of discernment and search.

Click HERE for our next steps, and to meet and see messages from our Profile and Search Committee members

Click HERE for a transition timeline 

Click HERE for the Rector’s Warden’s updates  

Click HERE for the Diocese Protocol for Transitions

Click HERE for our Transition Prayer

Our Parish Profile is complete!

Click the image at left to view or download your copy.

Please note: All interested clergy must send their interest letter, OTM, and CV/resume directly to The Rev. Canon Jane Gober , Office of Transition, Episcopal Diocese of PA.  

Please do not send this information to the COHS church office.     

Read more about our transition here.

Transition FAQ’s

  • Rev. Kathy retired from active Parish ministry. Rev. Kathy came to the priesthood later in life as a 2nd career. After 19 years at our church, she felt it was time to retire; additionally, she and Marc wanted to experience life in a new area of the country.

  • There is no fixed timeline in the Episcopal church. Transitions involve discerning who we are and who we want to be. This may take some time.

  • Refer to the Protocol for a Search Process for the steps and process

  • Our Vestry is committed to openness and transparency as much as possible. The congregation will be informed weekly via email, on our website, and during services, of progress and upcoming activities.

    The Parish Profile is a public document, the congregation will have input to this during the Visioning session and will be able to view it once complete.

    The Search process itself is confidential, we will not know who is being interviewed or even the number of candidates.

  • At this point in time, we will probably not get a full time Interim Priest, but we will continue to work scheduling supply clergy for the remainder of the transition period.

  • No. Should we get an interim priest either ful time or part time, they would be trained for this specific and very important ministry and will move on to assist another congregation once their term here is complete. This allows the Interim to assist the congregation in healing and growth, and to prepare us to receive a new Rector.

  • We do not anticipate any changes to our staff. They each play an instrumental role in making our worship services and parish activities what they are today.

  • In the Episcopal church, a Rector is called by the Vestry, with the approval of our Bishop. We have been and will continue to work closely with Rev. Jane Gober, Canon for Transition Ministry.

  • All ordained Episcopal or Anglican priests in good standing and under the age of 72 are eligible, regardless of background or where they work now. Whether particular priests are interested depends on how they discern God’s call for the next years in their vocation and how they come to understand us through the Parish Profile we develop. The search committee will be inclusive in identifying candidates and will follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance as to who could be the best fit for the next stage of the church’s future.