Dear Officers and Vestry:

From Kirk

I have felt called to serve St. Peter’s since 1989. I was thrilled to be called as Rector in 1994, and feel eternally committed to all the people of our parish community. For all of my 14+ years I have had a deep sense that I would be privileged to serve the rest of my active ministry Pastoring and Leading St. Peter’s. As we continue the Start Up/Start Over process I am increasingly excited about what God has in store for us as a parish in the 21st century!

At the same time, since the time of our budget talks and the need to eliminate the Assistant Rector’s position, I have been looking for a solution that might allow us to keep Mary Marguerite at St. Peter’s. Working with Mary Marguerite Kohn for the past six years has been an extraordinary blessing. She has been a true and faithful colleague in every respect. She is an asset to our life as a parish, and the thought of losing her largely due to financial stresses, and her need for at least a half-time position in a church, has caused me to look outside the box to see if there is not a way to preserve a Pastoral Team that has been good for St. Peter’s.

About two months ago a part-time position for a Chaplain at St. Timothy’s School in Stevenson, Maryland, became vacant and I was invited to interview for the position. As I explored the possibilities with the Head of School, it became clear to me that I could bring the kinds of gifts and experience that St. Timothy’s was looking for, and the Head of School agreed. I then entered into conversations with Bishop Rabb and Bishop Sutton. I told them that I was quite certain that God was not through with me at St. Peter’s, but the opportunity to teach, lead worship and help facilitate community outreach in a school setting was appealing.

It was Bishop Sutton who first suggested to me the idea of being half-time at St. Peter’s, and Bishop Rabb who reminded me that we have had parishes with Co-Rectors in the diocese before. Bishop Rabb also noted that a recent long-time chaplain at the school was also a half-time Rector of a parish. Thus the idea of Mary Marguerite and I becoming Co-Rectors was born. The next step was to explore the possibilities with Mallory and then Mary Marguerite.

I fully recognize the importance for leadership continuity at St. Peter’s. The Kubiceks very much wish to remain a part of life at St. Peter’s, and remain in the area, especially since Cerny is just completing her first year in High School. At the same time, Mary Marguerite, who will be looking to utilize her newly earned pastoral counseling skills, is an excellent candidate for a half-time position. As Mary Marguerite and I have explored the possibility together, the idea of our being Co-Rector’s of St. Peter’s would enable a) St. Peter’s to keep Mary Marguerite on Staff, b) each one of us being able to provide more focused attention on specific areas of parish life, rather then my having to parcel out my focus on all program areas, and c) by sharing co-equally  one compensation package St. Peter’s would be able to continue having two clergy for close to the same expense of having one, and possibly a few dollars less.

Going back to Seminary days, I have always believed that institutional chaplains are best served being an active part of Parish Ministry at the same time, and vice versa. I also believe that what Mary Marguerite and I will bring back to the parish from our respective outside positions will enrich life at St. Peter’s and help inspire new ways to become the Parish God wants us to be. I am hoping The Vestry will see this as an opportunity for St. Peter’s to keep moving in ever more positive directions to serve those who are members of our parish and the community beyond the walls of our historic Church.

From Mary-Marguerite:
   When Kirk mentioned the possibility of sharing the rectorship of St. Peter’s, I was very excited. I would find it a privilege and a joy to be able to have the time and the position to continue to be part of the life of St. Peter’s and to assist more fully in the renewal process. I have valued, more than I can say, the 6 years that I have been fortunate to serve as Assistant Rector
As you know, my leaving has seemed inevitable primarily for financial reasons—for both St. Peter’s and me. At the same time, I have realized that I am ready to resume a position of responsibility and oversight in a parish setting. I met with Bishop Eugene earlier in the Spring for a brainstorming session about opportunities in the diocese that would utilize both my parish skills and my newly minted Ph.D. in pastoral counseling. He wondered whether, if a suitable part-time parish position could be found, I might be able to start doing private practice, which I would enjoy very much. Thus I began seriously thinking about combining parish work with counseling. I also was recently asked to teach a course for the Pastoral Counseling Dept this Fall. I was honored and accepted provisionally (based on my finding work in this area).

From Both of Us:
Therefore, for both of us the benefits seem clear and exciting. We both would be able to continue to serve a parish to which we are committed, and to retain our fruitful relationship and team ministry. Each of us would also be using our talents in some new areas. St. Peter’s would not have to undergo the stress of “losing” one of our two-clergy pastoral team. To us the benefits far outweigh the challenges. The primary challenge is for the two of us to equitably split the areas of responsibility, and to adjust to a different working relationship. We have begun to look at this carefully. So far, this is how we have envisioned a Co-Rectorship Start up date is projected to be Monday, August 17,2009.

• We are asking the Vestry to consider approval of a plan that will enable us to keep Mary Marguerite Kohn on Staff. Mary Marguerite and Kirk would become Co-Rectors of St. Peter’s, each working half-time. Mary-Marguerite would also pursue teaching and counseling part-time; and Kirk would become Chaplain to St. Timothy’s School, Stevenson, part-time.
• Mary Marguerite and Kirk would split the current rector’s Compensation package. (See Financial breakdown attached).
• Areas of Shared Responsibility would include: Sunday Services and Feasts (both present, except during Vacation/Continuing Education time off), Liturgy Planning and Preaching, Pastoral Care Visitation, Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals, The Thursday Contemplative Prayer Service.
• We would Alternate Chairing Vestry Meetings month to month.
• Kirk would continue oversight with the Junior Warden on Property Issues.
• Kirk would continue the St. Peter’s Nursery School Chapel.
• Kirk would meet monthly with Sunday School Teachers.
• Mary Marguerite would supervise training of Acolytes, Subdeacons, Ushers, and those groups who serve on Sunday Mornings.
• Mary Marguerite would officiate the Tuesday Morning Service.
• Mary Marguerite would oversee Youth Ministries.
• We would work together to develop Confirmation Classes, Newcomer’s Orientation Classes, and Parish Retreats.
• Once our respective fall schedules are known, we would post clearly defined office hours.
• Day Off Schedule: Once other schedules are determined, we hope that one of us would take Monday, the other Friday. This would provide someone on call Mon-Fri.
• As we move forward in the Start Up/Start Over Process we would continue to refine specific areas of responsibilities.

 

Below are the numbers as John has outlined them at present:
Kirk-
I ran the #'s for what the affect to the budget would be if you were F/T at St Peters w/o MM and if you and MM were both 1/2 time.
Assumptions so far:
   For you 1/2 time, pay would be cut in half and St Peters would cover all health costs
   For MM 1/2 time, her total housing and salary would be $40,458.
   I used 2009 figures since any difference for 2010 would be noise

                                          Kirk/MM 1/2 time                     Kirk FT
Kirk Salary & Housing     40,458                                    80,917
Kirk Pension                       7,283                                    14,565
Kirk Health/Life                23,466                                   23,466
MM Salary & Housing      40,458                                      0
MM Pension                       7,283                                       0
MM Health/Life                 7,614                                        0

Total                                  126,562                                    118,948
St Timothy’s Cont         [-     7,620]
Total                                  118,942
Increase for two 1/2 time positions versus 1 full time is $7,614. So that's certainly a doable situation and if we can save even a little for your health/life, it'll be pretty much a wash. Kirk is also looking at another scenario for his family’s Health Insurance that could further reduce that figure. [NOTE: St. Timothy’s agrees to pay $7,620 toward Kirk’s Health which will make the Total Package for the two of us $118,942]
We realize that you, as the leaders of the Vestry, and the full Vestry, may have questions, concerns, and ideas which have not occurred to either of us.  We look forward to a mutual discernment process, and hope that you will find this proposal as exciting as we do. No doubt there will be challenges, and the change in clergy leadership roles may seem disorienting at first. After we both have had time to reflect and discuss the options carefully, we believe the merits will outweigh challenges.

Yours In Christ,
Kirk Kubicek
Mary-Marguerite Kohn

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Co-Rector Proposal

Senior Warden Statement

Vestry Statement

Co-Rector FAQs