A good beginning depends on a good ending.
A church’s ability to call a successor depends on how well the rector, priest, or ministry leader and the wardens and vestry manage the leave-taking and on the ability of all parties to let go.
Please refer to these guidelines to help you say goodbye.
They contain the collected wisdom and good practices about an important moment in the life of every ordained person, a moment of celebration, ending, beginning, death and resurrection.
Please direct any questions to the Rev. Suzanne Roberts, Officer for Transition and Deployment.
Protocol updated 10-15-2025