Fresh Start

Participation Requirements

All priests entering new cures are required to participate in the diocesan Fresh Start program for a term of 18 months. (Fresh Start is not required for Deacons.) This includes the newly ordained priests, priests entering the Diocese of Missouri from other dioceses, and priests transferring to a new cure within the diocese. Fresh Start takes place during the academic year with enrollment of new classes taking place in September and January.

Goals

Fresh Start is intended to:

• Build collegiality and deep relationship among the priests of the diocese to strengthen them in their ministry
• Facilitate mentoring of newer clergy by more experienced clergy
• Facilitate newer clergy sharing updated seminary knowledge with more experienced clergy
• Cross-pollinate the clergy cohort in both their practice of ministry and their spiritual journeys
• Provide a safe environment to “talk shop” and workshop ministry context struggles during times of transition
• Offer skills-building content in areas such as (but not limited to):
  - Church planting principles in established parishes
  - Leadership in changing parish systems
  - The spirituality of priesthood
  - Civic leadership and partnership for priests
  - Non-violence as a core spiritual practice for justice and peace
  - De-secularizing self-care for pastoral flourishing
  - Appreciative Inquiry
  - Change management
  - Evangelism

Methodology

Fresh Start currently meets virtually from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Thursday of the month. Hour one is a check-in session in breakout rooms with a guiding question. Hour two is a guest presenter from one of the content areas.

Conveners

• The Rev. Earl Mahan, Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Town & Country, and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Manchester ([email protected])
• The Rev. Canon Whitney Rice, Canon for Evangelism & Discipleship Development ([email protected])