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Bishop Donovan's Visit to Saint Mark's:
 (Updated
3/19/08, Most Current Information on Top):
March
19, 2008: Update from the Dean and Senior Warden
Dear Members of Saint Mark’s,
We are writing with an update of the March 6, 2008 letter that referenced a mediation on March 17 and 18. The mediation occurred as scheduled. A few days are necessary to document the results of the mediation and during that time Dean Taylor will be on leave.
We remain committed to release of the Donovan Report, responses to it and any other relevant information, and expect this to occur next week.
Now is the time to fully embrace Holy Week.
Sincerely,
The
Very Rev. Robert V. Taylor
Susan Lewis, Senior Warden
March
6, 2008: Update from the Dean and Senior Warden
Dear
Members of Saint Mark's,
We
are writing with an update and to ask for your patience. Our
discussion and work with a mediator is scheduled for March 17 and 18.
We commit to communicating to you about this once the Vestry has had a
chance to meet following March 18. We are equally committed to
sharing the Donovan Report, responses to it and any other relevant
information as very soon as possible.
As
we prepare for Holy Week, which begins on March 16, we hold you in our
prayers and ask that we together hold one another in prayer.
Palm Sunday begins a journey of discovering the gift of the jewel that
is God's life alive and present among us. We pray that this gift
is one that each of us, as members of the beloved community of Saint
Mark's, continue to discover and grow into.
Sincerely
Yours;
The
Very Rev. Robert V. Taylor, Dean
Carol Hoerster, Senior Warden
February
23, 2008: A Letter from the Vestry:
Dear
People of Saint Mark's,
We
know that many of you are anxiously waiting to learn more about the
contents of the Donovan Report and the implications it has for our
beloved Cathedral, its community and staff.
The
Vestry currently is in sensitive negotiations with the Dean.
Once these negotiations are complete, the Donovan Report will be
released in its entirety. The Vestry is committed to completing the
negotiations by March 14.
This
is a difficult time for all of us.
We pray that God will provide us with the guidance, wisdom, and
strength to work through our challenges in a way that best serves the
needs of all.
God
bless,
Your Vestry
February
14, 2008: A letter from the Bishop
To
the People of God at St. Mark’s Cathedral,
By
now you should be aware that your Vestry and I received the leadership
report from Bishop Herbert Donovan.
You will also have received by now the letter from the Vestry
regarding the current status. I
cannot add much to that. As
that letter states, the process for discussion with the Dean and
Vestry continues and I concur with the Vestry that the report not be
released at this time. While
you may find it difficult to trust this decision, I am asking that you
trust the leadership you have asked to navigate this very difficult
task before them.
What
I hope you know is the great care and commitment your Vestry has for
St. Mark’s and for this work they have been given to do by you.
I can only tell you that I am extremely impressed with their
careful deliberations.
For
now, my wish is that you would continue your prayers for the Dean, for
the Vestry, and for all the people of your community, and finally for
those who need a place like St. Mark ’s that they might find it to
be a place they can call home. You
can be assured you are in my prayers.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Gregory Rickel
Bishop of Olympia
February
11, 2008: A letter from the Vestry
Dear
People of Saint Mark’s,
We
know that you have been waiting to hear about the report Bishop
Herbert Donovan has delivered to the Vestry.
We
greatly appreciate your concerns and love for Saint Mark’s.
Bishop Donovan's report was reviewed in detail by the Vestry.
The report included recommendations that were approved by a
majority of the Vestry.
Bishop
Donovan began with a series of about forty telephone interviews
including former staff members, present and former Wardens and Vestry
members, neighbors and community leaders, other bishops and clergy.
In
addition, Bishop Donovan met with approximately fifty individuals.
Bishop Donovan has made recommendations that include clarifying the
roles of the Vestry and Dean, the nature of Saint Mark’s as both a
Parish and a Cathedral, and other topics.
Bishop
Donovan concluded by praising the programs at Saint Mark’s, its
faithful members, its noble past and bright future.
The
Vestry is in conversation with the Dean regarding the recommendations
in the report. As the process is still underway, the report will not
be released at this time.
Realizing
that we cannot discuss the content of the report or the Vestry's
deliberations, if there are questions about this communication, please
contact the Wardens.
Faithfully,
The
Vestry of Saint Mark’s
February
10, 2008- 3-5p, St. Nicholas, Rm 216: Vestry and Officers will meet to review Bishop
Donovan’s report. It has not yet been determined whether this
meeting will be in Executive Session or not. No decision has yet
been made as to how to communicate the recommendations and the
Vestry’s response to those recommendations. We are committed to
reporting the results of this assessment as transparently as possible.
February
8 or 9: The
Vestry and Bishop Rickel expect to receive Bishop Donovan’s report
via email.
January
28-31: On
Friday, Feb 1, Bishop Donovan returned to his home in Dobbs Ferry, NY
to begin work on his report to the Vestry and Bishop Rickel about his
evaluation of the leadership and management issues at Saint Mark’s
Cathedral. Those of you
who had the opportunity to meet Bishop Donovan will know that he is a
delightful and insightful man who spent many hours listening and
taking notes about the Saint Mark’s community.
Before arriving in Seattle, he spoke with more than 40 people,
including Vestry, staff, and members of the congregation, via phone.
During the four days he was here, he spoke with 14 members of
staff and more than 50 members of the congregation. He was able to
meet with a large cross-section of the community including former and
present Vestry members, committee members and others as well as a
diverse selection of ages and history with the Cathedral.
Open appointments were scheduled in order of receipt of
request. On Thursday, Jan 31, he met with the Vestry and the Bishop in
Executive Session.
Bishop
Donovan expressed his thankfulness for the welcome and hospitality
that he was shown while he was here. He was very appreciative of the
time given by those who he was able to talk with. He expressed his
regrets that he was not able to meet or talk with everyone who wanted
the opportunity to give insight into our community.
Vestry Resolution (December 11, 2007)
"Be it resolved that the
Vestry of Saint Mark's Cathedral requests the Bishop of Olympia to
appoint an outside party to confer with all relevant persons to assess
leadership and management issues at Saint Mark's Cathedral and make
recommendations for improvement. Both the Vestry and the Bishop will
be considered clients to whom the results will be presented."
Click
here to read the letter from Bishop Rickel to the congregation of
Saint Mark's regarding the Vestry proposal (pdf
download).
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