From the Rector

Dear Friends,

Although this issue focuses on issues of faith and daily life, I want to devote this space this month to informing you about what is happening with the staff vacancy for campus ministry. With Stephen Stanley's departure, this has been a time to reassess our directions in campus ministry and to re-articulate the role of the Associate for Campus Ministry.

Since this summer, a Fresh Look Committee has been having conversations with present and former students and with faculty and parishioners associated with our campus ministry as part of this reassessment. By the October 16 vestry meeting, they hope to have submitted a final job description that reflects their conversations and findings, which can then be used as a basis from which to call a new associate.

The preliminary draft of that job description includes the following information: The associate will represent the rector and lead the parish in the work of campus and young adult ministry. Specifically, he/she will:

• Extend the liturgical and sacramental life of the parish to facilitate the greatest and broadest possible campus access
• Provide pastoral care and nurturing of UNC students, faculty, and staff
• Stimulate discussion and articulation of theological, moral, intellectual, aesthetic, and professional issues confronting students, faculty, and staff and the world in which they live
• Lead the intentional development of Christian leadership skills among participants in the Episcopal Campus Ministry and
• Direct through information and leadership the avenues of service available on campus, in the community, and to the larger world.

By the time you are reading this, I will have formed a search/discernment committee of students, faculty, and other parishioners to assist me in calling a new Associate for Campus Ministry. In the meantime, we have an excellent group of student leaders in place, co-led by Sarah Taylor and Ben Garren. The other clergy and I will be assisting them both programmatically and personally to sustain our vital and dynamic campus ministry.

By our location and history, campus ministry occupies a significant place in the life of the Chapel of the Cross. The present student, parishioner, and clergy leadership will continue our high level commitment and involvement. I am confident that by God's grace we will call another campus minister to help lead us into the challenges of the future.

- Stephen