From the Archives
Transition Ministry: Then and Now meet the candidates and, in Karen Warren Diocesan Archivist
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s I write this archives article, our Canon to the Ordinary Rich Simpson has recently attended, virtually, the twice-annual Transition Ministry (TM) Conference— this year online, of course, rather than being held in beautiful, sunny Delray Beach, Florida. The purpose of the conference is to assist Transition Ministers in finding appropriate candidates to present to parishes that are seeking new clergy and, additionally, to assist clergy who are seeking new positions. In this technological age, clergy seeking a new position must keep their electronic resume and profile up-todate and ready to be “presented” by Canon Simpson at the next TM Conference. Likewise, parishes that are prepared for this step in the search process for their new rector must also prepare a profile to be uploaded electronically and available for Canon Simpson to present at the conference. This is the beginning of the “match” process today, as names of potential candidates are offered to parish vestries, who then
time, select the one they feel is the best match. Our bishop has final approval of these matches. What a contrast to the manner in which transitions took place in the first years of the new Diocese of Western Massachusetts, in the very early 1900s. Today we can be at home, working on a laptop, and “be” anywhere in the world through virtual technology. No car or airplane is needed to “go” to the TM conference, or anywhere else you need to be. Email, fast as the speed of light, often supersedes the need to snail mail documents. In the infancy of our diocese, mail was a major means of communication. People wrote letters. Penmanship—cursive—an art form, lost today. There were no resumes per se. Letters of inquiry were mailed directly to the bishop. Travel was mostly by horse, train, or streetcar. Many western Massachusetts parishes were still missions, located in rural areas and mill towns. Situated in New England as we are, one wonders how our first bishop, the Rt. Rev. Alexander Vinton, was even able to attract or obtain qualified clergy to fill vacant positions. Further complicating the process, given the poverty of the area at that time, a cleric’s marital status was frequently a determining factor in choosing the best candidate. Many parishes could not offer a salary enough to support a family. I had the pleasure a while back of inventorying a “Letter Box” that held correspondence belonging to Bishop Vinton. This particular case had an exterior label marked “Letters of Reference” and contained letters of inquiry regarding openings for clergy
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ABU NDANT TIMES
in our diocese, as well as letters of reference—these dated 1906 to 1909. This was early 20th century “Transition Ministry”. Letters were filed alphabetically by the correspondent’s last name. Language was more formal; most were brief, honest, and direct. A few samples: • “Have you a vacancy in your diocese for a ‘young, hardworking, energetic priest, 37, married, wife and three little children.’ Excellent references.” Signed “Obediently Yours” • “My Dear Bishop Vinton, I wished to tell you that I want work….” • “Will you accept me as an applicant for the rectorship of the Church of the Good Shepherd…” One particular correspondence caught my eye, from Willet N. Hawkins of Latrobe, Pennsylvania. A brief letter written on parchment notepaper, the handwriting carefully written in fountain pen. Dated October 27th, 1908, Rev. Hawkins writes “My dear Bishop Vinton…The Industrial depression in this Pittsburgh district causes me to contemplate a change….” The inquiry is for any vacancies in our diocese that might be “mutually agreeable to consider”. He reports his qualifications as being an 1893 graduate of Columbia (Univer-
