Sub-Committee on Fresh Start

Report to the 38th Convention

COMMISSION ON MINISTRY

SUB-COMMITTEE ON FRESH START

Fresh Start is a diocesan-wide program resource for new clergy and clergy who are in
transition into new congregations. Fresh Start is designed to capitalize on the opportunities for
clergy and congregational growth and development that research has shown are uniquely present at the time of and following clergy ordination and clergy transition into a new congregation. Experience with the Fresh Start program has demonstrated the power of this resource to: ease and provide assistance in dealing with transitional issues that can face clergy and congregations following arrival of a new clergy person; sharpen congregational development skills; provide for strengthening of supportive collegial relationships between clergy; promote improved clergy wellness; and deepen the sense of trust and interconnectedness between clergy, their congregations, other congregations and clergy persons of the Diocese and the Bishop and Bishop’s office.

In the early 1990s, The Episcopal Church began conversations focusing on transitionsministry
concepts. Out of these conversations through the Episcopal Church Foundation’s
Cornerstone, the Office for Ministry Development, and the Church Deployment Office, Fresh Start
emerged. In June 2000, Fresh Start was launched as a national program. In 2005, a comprehensive evaluation of Fresh Start was conducted, and in 2007, the lead agency function and role was assigned to CREDO Institute, Inc. At that time the Fresh Start organization was restructured and the curriculum was revised and rewritten.

The Fresh Start program began in the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast on January 16, 2003,
at St. Andrew’s by-the-Sea, Destin, with sessions continuing monthly, on the third Thursday of each
month. The program’s venue changed to the Duvall Center (Diocesan office) in September 2007 and continues to be held there. The program is an 18 month program required by the Bishop for all
clergy who are in transition, whether the transition is within or from outside the Diocese. As
additional clergy persons are ordained, come into the Diocese or transition between congregations

within the Diocese, following the initiation of the Fresh Start program they are automatically enrolled as participants in the Fresh Start process as a matter of Diocesan deployment policy. Other clergy of the Diocese, including non-parochial and Interim clergy, are also being encouraged to participate in Fresh Start to gain the benefits of the learning experience and collegial clergy community the program offers, and to offer their experience, gifts, talents and insights to their sisters and brothers who are in the process of transition. At least one person from the Bishop’s office participates in each Fresh Start session.

Each session begins at 10:00 a.m. and includes an opportunity for community worship,
presentation and discussion of one of the 21 Fresh Start “learning modules.” Facilitated by a
specially trained Diocesan Fresh Start team, each Fresh Start session is designed to promote
relationships among the participants and better integrate the clergy in transition into the Diocese,
their congregations, and the clergy community by creating strong, mutually supportive clergy
relationships and providing useful tools and opportunities to sharpen their relational and
congregational development skills.

We are blessed to have access to such an important wellness program in this diocese. With
the continued support of the Bishop and Bishop’s staff, the people and clergy of the entire Diocese,
Fresh Start will continue to generate significant benefits to all clergy and congregations in the
Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.

Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Salem Saloom,
Fresh Start Coordinator and Facilitator