October 7, 2022
Dear St. Patrick’s Family,
I write today to let you know about a big change in our life as a parish. At an executive session meeting yesterday, your vestry voted to accept the resignation of Priest Doyle, effective tomorrow, October 8. This concludes almost five years of ministry together, and I know it signals a big change for all of us.
Priest Doyle shared with us several weeks ago that, with the knowledge that our 2023 budget could not support a full-time rector, she had begun looking for her next call. With Tom’s illness, she now needs to be available to be at his side, and so we worked with Bishop Megan and her staff to find a resolution to her time here that was fair and honored the commitment she has made to us.
The agreement was structured to fulfill and conclude the commitments made by both the church and the priest when her tenure first began. It falls within the usual procedure used across the church when a Rector and church need to part.
The vestry is St. Patrick’s board of directors. As such, we are bound by California employment laws to protect our employee’s privacy by not sharing any details. Please do not ask vestry members for information, as they are not able to comment.
It has been my privilege to serve as Priest Doyle’s senior warden, and I invite you to join me in wishing the Allens well as they discern their next steps. They have indicated they are not up for any kind of gatherings at this time. I encourage you to bring cards with your well-wishes to church, and, if you wish, you may include a gift to help them on the next step of their journey. We will collect all cards and deliver them to the Allens.
Bishop Megan and her Canon to the Ordinary, the Rev. Julie Wakelee, will be with us for worship and a parish meeting next Saturday, October 16. Please come and share in a conversation about future steps for our life together. Our Dean, the Very Rev. Ed Howell, will lead worship this Sunday, October 9.
Yours in Christ,
Sandy Keith
Senior Warden
