The Rector Search process is a sacred pilgrimage guided by the Holy Spirit, designed to reveal God's chosen shepherd for the community. The process is led by our Rector Search Committtee.
The journey begins with Deep Discernment and Reflection. The congregation is invited to a spiritual inventory, articulating their joys, wounds, and the future vision they believe God is calling them toward. This self-study produces our desires for the ideal candidate for St. James and the Parish Profile, a prayerful map for the next phase, akin to the Israelites seeking the Promised Land.
Next is the Faithful and Patient Search. The Search Committee acts as stewards, diligently and prayerfully reviewing candidates from across the Church. This time requires profound trust, believing that the ultimate connection is being made through a process of careful seeking and waiting, trusting in God's perfect timing.
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The final stage is Mutual Recognition and the Call. All candidates are first reviewed by the Diocesan Deployment Officer and Bishop Phyllis as they come in. Then, through extensive interviews and shared worship, the committee and the candidate discern if their spirits align and if the call is truly reciprocal. Once this certainty is established, the Vestry receives and reviews the recommendation and extends the sacred Call. The acceptance of this invitation is a moment of communal celebration and spiritual affirmation, marking the joyous reception of a new priest and the start of a vibrant, shared ministry in Christ.
IMPORTANT DATES
10/17/2025 - Search Committee Candidate Applications due
10/21/2025 - Search Committee Candidate Recommendations to Vestry
10/31/2025 - Search Committee Announced
11/9/2025 - Search Committee Commissioning, 10am Worship
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NEWS
11.4.2025
RECTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE FORMED!
Dear People of St. James - 

I am pleased to announce that the Rector Search Committee has been formed! The candidates were reviewed with the Vestry and the Vestry voted unanimously to affirm the members of the committee.
The Rector Search Committee is led by chair, Kari Butler, and includes members:
Steve Allnatt
Steve Hutchinson
Mindy Mitchell
Laura Orcutt
Britley Randstatler
Kim Smart
The meetings of the search committee will commence soon and we will begin sharing out our progress and how you can support our Rector search process. We will continue to have updates in our weekly newsletter, Koinonia, and here on this page.

With Gratitude,
Kari Butler
Search Committee Chair
10.16.2025
LAST CALL FOR SEARCH COMMITTEE APPLICATIONS
It is our hope that you have each prayerfully considered the calling to create the Rector Search Committee.
Applications are DUE TOMORROW, 10/17/2025. To apply click on the button below to fill out the electronic form. If you require a paper application you can download it here.
If you have questions or want to discuss the Rector Search Committee role with us, please don't hesitate to email or call.
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With Gratitude,
Search Committee Chair
Senior Warden
10.7.2025
Search Committee Application Form Available
The application to submit your interest in being on the Search Committee is available.
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Interested members of the congregation need to submit their form by October 17, 2025.
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The Search Committee, under the direction of the Vestry and Committee Chair Kari Butler, is responsible from beginning to end for the Rector Search process. The time commitment is 2-4 hours per week for 12 to 18 months. Some time periods will have heavier hours during critical times. The Search Committee has a wide variety of tasks, including parish surveys, preparing and evaluating data, preparing the parish profile, preparing for and performing rector candidate interviews, and speaking with members throughout the congregation. Skills desired are in project management, communication, writing and technology, and assessment and evaluation.
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To apply click on the button below to fill out the electronic form. If you require a paper application you can download it here.
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Questions about the Rector Search Process can be directed to our Search Committee Chair, Kari Butler, at searchchair@stjamesutah.com.
9.23.2025
Rector Search Committee Chair Announced
At a special meeting of the Vestry on the evening of September 23, 2025, David James, Senior Warden, announced the appointment of Kari Butler as Chair of the Rector Search Committee being formed to identify candidates to fill the Rector vacancy.
The primary goals for the meeting were to introduce Kari to the Vestry and review the Diocesan Policy and Procedure on Calling a Priest.
During this meeting Kari introduced herself and shared her experience that uniquely qualifies her for this role. Beyond Kari's extensive leadership background in corporate America, specifically in television broadcasting, she has experience within The Episcopal Church including acting as the Chair of the Transition Committee for Bishop Scott Hayashi. She explained that our Rector Search Committee would work a lot like the Transition Committee and was excited to impart her learnings at St. James. She has also served on Diocesan Council and the Diocesan Standing Committee.
Kari and her husband Cliff began attending St. James in 1993 at the church previous to our current location. They raised their children at St. James and at St. James she has held many leadership roles including Senior Warden, Junior Warden, and Sunday School Teacher.
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Kari will immediately begin working with Vestry Members Greg Annis and Terry Palmer to create the Search Committee Application that will be shared with members of the congregation to express their interest in being on the Search Committee. The goal is to have a Search Committee of seven members in place by October 31, 2025.
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Questions about the Rector Search can be directed to Kari by email.
Rector Search Committee
