The Rector's Search

The Rector’s Search Committee implementing the search process for our new rector at Christ Church, Cedar Rapids includes Ellen Bruckner, Charles Crawley, Ron Hansen, Kate Hogg, Nancy Lowenberg, Melody Rockwell, Paul Salamon, Leslee Sandberg and Gina Young.  Selected by the Christ Church Vestry in July 2008, the nine-member has chosen to use the following prayer as a guide for the committee and congregation in this time of expectant transition:

 

O God, you led your holy apostles to ordain ministers in every place: Grant that your Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may choose a suitable person for the ministry of Word and Sacrament at Christ Church, and may extend the work of your kingdom; through him who is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

BCP (adapted)

A church profile, developed by the Committee in line with our church’s five-year visioning process and in dialog with congregational members, has been submitted with the Vestry’s approval to the Diocese of Iowa deployment officer, Tom Gehlsen and Bishop Alan Scarfe.

The Rector’s Search Committee plans to send informational packets and questionnaires to rector nominees as soon as names become available through the diocesan vetting process, and then will conduct follow-up telephone interviews with rector nominees.  We anticipate this will occur in October - December 2008.  The Committee then aims to present candidates for interviews with the Vestry and Search Committee in early 2009, with the hope of the Vestry issuing the call for a new rector by Easter 2009, and our new rector being welcomed to Christ Church by June 2009.

 

The Interim Period: In the Meantime ...

Vestry decided that we will not be calling an Interim pastor while we search for a new rector. We are blessed with strong lay leadership and staff, an outstanding associate rector and several qualified, specially-trained laypeople willing to serve in pastoral roles. It is important to note that our part-time associate rector, Barbara Schlachter, is not seeking to serve Christ Church as our fulltime rector, now or in the future, but will increase her role in the interim to provide stable clergy support. She will coordinate supply clergy as needed while we search for the next rector of Christ Church.

 

Candidate Resources

Candidates for this ministry are invited to peruse our official Position Profile on this page.

Related Links for Candidates:

 

Meet the Committee

Within the necessary parameters of confidentiality, the Rector’s Search Committee members (introduced below) are open to receiving comments and inquiries as it moves through the search process.  Contact the parish office to forward an e-mail to the whole committee.

Ellen Bruckner, Co-Chair and Vestry liaison

Ellen describes her journey as a Christian in the Episcopal Church as most like plowing a section of prairie with a walk behind horse drawn plow. She notes, “I don't know if the Church is the horse or the plow in the metaphor, but it has always been there for me. I have been supported, encouraged, empowered, hurt and loved by St. Michael’s/Christ Church and the larger Episcopal Church.”

Arriving in Cedar Rapids in 1970, Ellen joined St. Michael's Church and has been here ever since. She’s been through a divorce, raised two boys, remarried and added two girls. The children are now grown and on their own (to varying degrees). Her husband Juergen is retired from Rockwell Collins. Ellen has served on various groups at different levels in the structure - local, diocesan, provincial and The Episcopal Church - and has been inspired by the relationships she feels honored to have made. Ellen states, “I know there is still a lot of prairie to plow and I rejoice in all the relationships that make this journey so full and loving. I give thanks for the Church and its insistence that a life seeking and knowing God is not an option.”

 

Charles Crawley, Co-Chaplain

Charles, a three-year member of Christ Church, chairs the SwaziCompanions Committee, teaches in Adult Education, ushers and serves communion. He believes (as indicated in his photo) that the Chicago Cubs are No. 1, but allows that there may be other paths to heaven as well. Charles’ partner, Libby Slappey, is a long-time member of the church. He notes that his 26-year old son, Nathaniel, is “named after Hawthorne, not the disciple."

 

 

Ron Hansen, Co-Chair

Ron has been a member of Christ Church since 1998.  He and his wife Susan (Christ Church's Administrative Assistant) moved here from Florida, because Susan wanted to move back to her home state of Iowa. They have three children and two grandchildren, who visit frequently.

Ron is retired from IBM and is currently working as an independent manufacture’s rep in Iowa. He has been involved with the church as an usher, building & grounds, men of whatever, church softball team and previously served as Senior Warden on the Vestry.  Ron volunteered for the Search Committee because he has many years of interviewing and assessment skills.  He believes these skills, and having been a member of many Episcopal churches in numerous states, will be an asset to the committee.

 

Kate Hogg

Kate came with her husband Rob to Christ Episcopal Church in 1998, when they moved back 'home' to Iowa from the Twin Cities.  Kate and Rob have three children, ages 8 to 14, and she is active in children and youth ministry as manager of the nursery, teacher/shepherd for HeartLand, and youth choir parent.  She also helps with fellowship, meals to members, environmental commission work, and outreach.

Kate manages their home, 15 acres, 63 chickens and local food work, as well as volunteering for and teaching reading part time in Cedar Rapids schools.  Kate notes, “CEC is a big part of my and my family's lives and I am glad to take part in finding a great priest for CEC's future!”

 

Nancy Lowenberg

Nancy, a native Iowan, has lived in Cedar Rapids for over 20 years.  Nancy is married to Randy Lowenberg, and they have two daughters, Susan (age 18) and Sarah (age 12).  Nancy states, “I have been a member of Christ Church for over 20 years and I just love the place!”

 

 

Melody Rockwell, Co-Chaplain

Melody, a returning member to Christ Church in 1990, has been involved since then in third grade Sunday school, outreach, pastoral care, healing touch, Jubilee, anti-racism, prison ministry and SwaziCompanions.  Following the galvanizing experience of an Episcopal mission trip to Swaziland in 2004, she has been discerning and studying for diaconal ordination, serving as the Iowa diocesan Global Missioner and is currently a co-leader for the mission team traveling to Swaziland in October 2008.

Melody and her husband Dan have been married for 44 years, and have three children; Jess, Liz and Rachel, who live nearby in Iowa with their families, including five beloved grandchildren ranging from four to 20 years of age.  Through the process of diaconal discernment, Melody has developed an ever-deepening concern and love for the people of Christ Church and their wellbeing, and welcomes this opportunity to serve this actively caring and joyful body of Christ in the search for a new priest.

 

Paul Salamon

Paul, brought up in the Baptist Church, became an Episcopalian through his marriage to Anne Salamon.  Paul and Anne have been active members of St. John’s/then Christ Church since 1986.  During the past 14 years, their son, Karl, has grown up very much integrated into the life of the parish.  Paul is a former vestry member, works on the Buildings and Grounds Commission and is the can-do general handyman for Christ Church.  Last May, Paul participated in the arduous Waters of Hope bike ride around Iowa to raise monies to purchase chlorinators and fund other water projects in Swaziland and Sudan.  Paul has just started a two-year commitment with the Rite 13 youth at Christ Church, and does volunteer work in the school system.  He wanted to be a member of the search committee “to help move the process along; to get a new rector in a timely manner.”  But, he notes with a smile, “So far, this process hasn’t needed any pushing.  It’s moving forward smoothly and quickly.”

 

Leslee Sandberg, Co-Scribe

Leslee, a member of Christ Church since 1983, has previously served as a member and senior warden on the vestry. She is a licensed chalice bearer and lay reader, chairs the church's Jubilee Commission, serves as the Diocese of Iowa's Jubilee Officer and is a first-time deputy to General Convention in Anaheim in July, 2009.  Leslee is a retired education administrator and works part-time for the Iowa Department of Education as a mediator. She volunteers at St. Luke's Hospital as a chaplain and is president of the St. Luke's Hospice Advisory Board.

Leslee and her husband, Michael have been married for 32 years and have two daughters; Emily, a MFA student at the University of Virginia and Sally, a teacher for the Clear Creek - Amana School District.  In her free time, Leslee plays alto sax in the New Horizons Band and also the Christ Church Te Deum Ensemble.

 

Gina Young, Co-Scribe

Gina, a native of Minnesota and Search Committee Co-Scribe, has attended Christ Church for 10+ years.  During that time, Gina has been involved as a Sunday school teacher, Journey to Adulthood leader, Vestry member/senior warden, chalice bearer, Loaves and Fishes food pantry and Neighborhood Meals and Enrichment Program volunteer, and member of the diocesan delegation to Swaziland in 2004.

Gina currently works at McKinley Middle School as attendance secretary.  She enjoys watching movies and Minnesota Twins baseball, and playing tennis and golf.  Gina has been married 25 years to Mark Young, and is blessed with two wonderful sons, Jack (20) and Banning (16).

 

 

 

 

You are here: Meet Us --> Rector's Search --> Meet the Committee