St. Stephen s Episcopal Church

Transcription

1 St. Stephen s Episcopal Church Gary D. Jones, Rector March 11, 2014 Dear People of St. Stephen s, I am happy to be writing to you with some very exciting news. In December of last year, we began an extensive, national search for an experienced parish priest. We knew that Matt Johnson was likely to accept a call soon, and we wanted to be prepared. Eleven parishioners, including three vestry people, joined with members of the staff and me to consider the qualities we were seeking in a priest. We began by advertising for a priest of some considerable experience, and as it became clear that our needs might grow and change in the months and years to come, we contacted seminaries, also. Again, we wanted to be prepared and seek out the very best clergy candidates in the country. The applications came pouring in, and the quality of the applicants was extraordinary. Over 50 people from all over the United States and two from overseas applied to work with us. We examined résumés, checked references, conducted telephone interviews, and invited a select pool of applicants to interview with us in person. We wanted engaging, personable, bright, and outgoing clergy who were people of deep faith and who were excited about joining one of the largest and most vibrant churches in the country. We wanted renewed attention to our young families, expertise and enthusiasm for parenting, marriage, family, and children s ministries. We wanted clergy who would be devoted to our seniors and the ministry of faithful pastoral care. We looked for a passion for outreach, as well as a dedication to prayer and the beauty of Anglican tradition. And we wanted clergy who would support our many cherished ministries, from youth to the Women of St. Stephen s. The result was that we had so many excellent candidates that we had to turn down some of the finest clergy I have met in a long time. But three people particularly stood out for our search committee and staff as being an especially exciting combination for us. (continued) 6000 Grove Avenue + Richmond, VA

2 The Reverend Penny Nash will join us on April 7. Penny comes to us from Bruton Parish in Williamsburg where she is a much-loved Associate Rector. She is an excellent writer and preacher, married, with two grown children. Penny originally came from Atlanta where she had been a member of All Saints Church. The Reverend Mary Sulerud will join us on May 27. Mary has led several different parishes in her twenty-five years of ordained ministry, including serving as the Precentor (director of worship) for the Washington National Cathedral. Married and with one child, Mary comes to us from St. Thomas Church, Richmond, where she is completing her work as Interim Rector. And Mr. Weston Matthews, a senior from Virginia Theological Seminary, will be ordained in June and will join us on July 15. Weston s wife will be enrolled in a Ph.D. program in education at the University of Virginia this fall. They are both graduates of William and Mary, and prior to seminary, Weston worked as a high school teacher for six years. It is hard to imagine a finer team of clergy joining a more extraordinary community of volunteers and lay professionals at St. Stephen s, and we are happy to introduce them briefly here. As one member of the search committee said, This is a dream team. And although some of our transitional expenses, including moving costs and interim clergy over the next few months, were unexpected, our annual clergy expenses are not increasing, and we will be working very hard to have a small surplus at the end of the year once again. I am grateful to the members of the search committee who served so faithfully to ensure that we found the best clergy available for St. Stephen s Church: Sam Davis, Devon Fletcher, Greta Kidd, Broderick Mullins, Tia Owen, John Sherman, Julee Spitzer, Karen Wise, and Allison Koschak, who chaired the committee. This comes with my gratitude for all of you and our extraordinary ministry together. Sincerely, Gary D. Jones Rector

3 Mr. E. Weston Mathews is a native of Winchester, Virginia, and a senior at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria; he anticipates ordination to the transitional diaconate in May Weston is a leader on the VTS campus, serving as Seminary Forum coordinator (a series bringing prominent speakers to the seminary), student body chaplain, and a student representative on the VTS investment committee of the Board of Trustees. He has gained extensive experience in preaching, teaching and liturgy as a seminarian at St. Mark s, Capitol Hill. He is particularly passionate about social justice ministry and pastoral care. Weston is a 2004 graduate of the College of William and Mary, where he received a bachelor of arts in history, and went on to earn a master of arts in education the following year. He taught at Nelson County High School in Lovingston, Virginia, from 2005 until 2011, teaching Advanced Placement U.S. History, Governor s School World History and Western Civilization. He also coached the tennis team, helped coordinate and implement an interdisciplinary and service learning-based alternative education program for at-risk students, was faculty adviser for the first Nelson County High School Gay-Straight Alliance, and served as a trustee of the Region Ten Community Services Board based in Charlottesville. Weston is married to Hannah Mathews, who plans to pursue her PhD in special education at the University of Virginia. The Rev. Penny A. Nash has been associate rector of Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg since This self-described extrovert has been engaged in every aspect of parish ministry in this large, historic church which serves not only a thriving congregation but a significant number of walk-in visitors owing to its location in Colonial Williamsburg. Her particular area of focus at Bruton has been ministry to children, youth, and families, and she has succeeded in increasing youth involvement in Sunday liturgy and community outreach. Penny, who was ordained to the diaconate in 2007 and to the priesthood in 2008, was presented for ordination by All Saints, Atlanta. She has served a number of churches in Georgia and is comfortable in a variety of liturgical settings. She is a 1978 graduate of Florida State University with a bachelor s degree in English and creative writing, and a 2008 graduate of Candler School of Theology at Emory University, with a master of divinity; she also holds an Anglican Studies Certificate. A talented photographer and writer, she has a blog, penelopepiscopal.blogspot.com, and is an adept user of social media. Penny s husband, Tom Cox, is an attorney, and they have three adult children and a grandson. The Rev. Mary C.M. Sulerud, currently the interim rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church here in Richmond, has extensive ministry experience in the dioceses of Virginia and Washington, D.C., beginning as assistant rector at Grace Church, Alexandria, serving as rector of Church of the Ascension in Silver Spring, Maryland, being on the staff of the Diocese of Washington and Washington National Cathedral, serving as interim rector of Immanuel Churchon-the-Hill in Alexandria, and now completing an interim assignment at St. Thomas. Her vast experience spans the areas of liturgy, congregational development, administration, spiritual direction, pastoral care, and teaching. She has served the larger church in numerous ways, including being an Education for Ministry mentor, a member of the General Board of Examining Chaplains of the Episcopal Church, Finance Committee chair in the Diocese of Washington, and many others. Mary was one of four nominees for bishop in the Diocese of Utah in She is a 1973 graduate of St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, with a degree in English and theater, and a 1988 graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary. She holds a certificate in arts management from Harvard University. Mary and her husband Peter have an adult daughter. 1 P age

4 What people are saying about our new clergy Weston Mathews Weston Mathews is an exciting, energetic and thoughtful student who will bring passion and energy to his ministry. He is deeply concerned about the gospel s influence in the world. I m delighted he will be serving at St. Stephen s. And he is great fun! The Rev. Ian Markham, Dean of Virginia Theological Seminary I had the pleasure of dinner and a long conversation with Weston when he visited St. Stephen s. I walked out of the restaurant nearly skipping. Listening to his stories, hearing about his experiences in ministry had filled me with new life and fresh excitement about and gratitude for my own ministry. In his presence I found myself re-energized and refocused on what matters most. I can t think of higher praise for a soon-to-be priest. Michael Sweeney, Staff Weston is a young man, wise beyond his years, with a listening heart and a keen mind. He is able to meet people where they are in their spiritual lives. I can t think of a single ministry or program at St. Stephen s that he couldn t wholeheartedly embrace and enhance. Carol Dickinson, Vestry Weston was thoughtful, sincere and had a maturity that seemed well beyond his years. I m sure having been a high school teacher for six years helped! Weston s warmth was felt right away and we all thought he was a great listener with a gift of being present. He too was eloquent when commenting on his love of pastoral care and his commitment to building strong and meaningful relationships with all ages. Alison Koschak, Search Committee Weston blew me away. When we met, I was worried that his young appearance might be a drawback. The more he spoke, the more I was drawn in to his passion, depth and love of God and his ministry. The work he is doing at St. Mark s [Capitol Hill] is relevant and refreshing. I was captivated listening to him speak passionately about prison ministry and his views on society as a whole. He just gets it and seems to know how to meet people where they are. I was impressed by his intellectual agility. Julee Spitzer, Search Committee Penny Nash Penny is a very versatile priest with an unusual package of gifts that will serve the people of St. Stephen s very well. She is comfortable with a variety of traditions in the Episcopal Church and brings a mature spirit and vitality. She has served well in some difficult situations, and had rich experience in lay ministry prior to discerning a call to ordination. She s got a special talent for engaging children and young people. The Rev. Geoffrey Hoare, Rector, All Saints, Atlanta (parish that presented Penny for ordination) At Bruton, Penny has started new programs, cared for our youth, and brought her voice to our community in preaching and teaching. We re sorry to bid her farewell, but glad for this marvelous new opportunity in her life. We wish Penny many blessings in her ministry among the people of St. Stephen s. Marty Pollard Easton, Senior Warden, Bruton Parish Church 2 Page

5 Penny is a gifted preacher and a personable pastoral presence. She is a creative idea person and her excellent knowledge of emerging technological resources and networking enhances the work of the Kingdom of God. She will be missed. May God richly bless your ministries at St. Stephen s as she joins your community. The Rev. Charles Robinson, Vicar, Bruton Parish Church I immediately felt her warmth and interest. She exudes this genuine caring and focus with whomever she is engaged. Gene LeCouteur, Staff Penny s obvious charisma, warmth and creativity will be great gifts to St. Stephen s. She clearly is comfortable both as a listener and as one who can enthuse others with her spirit and energy. Dan Moriarty, Staff People on the search committee found Penny warm, energetic, bright and easily made a connection. They liked the fact that she had experienced a church similar to St. Stephen s and that she was looking to return to a larger church with a great variety of ministries. Having already attended our evening services and supper, she is excited about joining in the morning services as well. Penny was drawn to our programs of arts and wellness as well as our multigenerational parish. Alison Koschak, Search Committee I would feel very comfortable sitting in her office for hours chatting, having a cup of coffee, or talking to her about our children. She has a way that just puts you at ease.there was just an energy and happiness to her. Tia Owen, Search Committee Mary Sulerud The people of St. Stephen s will be struck by Mary s warmth, her enthusiasm and her profound and joyful faith. She is extremely high energy. She has the heart of a pastor. She is deeply grounded in the life of worship, and twice during my time at Washington National Cathedral she served as the interim canon precentor the director of worship. She has a wonderful intellect. She s a utility infielder, deeply experienced and gifted in every dimension of parish ministry. And she s a pleasure to work with, with a lovely sense of humor. She s the real thing. The Rev. Samuel Lloyd, Rector of Trinity, Copley Square (Boston), former Dean of Washington National Cathedral Mary s experience is so impressive on paper, and it comes across even more impressively in person. On meeting her I immediately felt a trust and confidence in her. Her energy is warm and wise, and there is no pretense about her. We may be saying goodbye to clergy who feel irreplaceable, but we are also welcoming clergy who are similarly irreplaceable somewhere else. I have a friend who works with Mary right now, and I m sure that s how he feels. Michael Sweeney, Staff She can reach people who long for encounter with a living God. She comes to us with a wealth of experience yet has a real joy to participate in programs at St. Stephen s and to shepherd us into new ones. Mary is the kind of priest who can have a wonderful conversation with a young child and reach out to an ailing parishioner with compassion and a sense of wonder. Carol Dickinson, Vestry 3 P age

6 This is a priest who possesses great depth of experience and an innate sense of the beauty of our liturgy. Mary also strikes me as one who relates readily with all kinds and types, no matter where they are on their journey. Dan Moriarty, Staff A great team I am really excited about each of these people individually and the prospect of what they will bring to us as a team. I loved Mary for her passion for ministry to all ages, but her particular desire to be engaged with our younger children and their families. She gave me confidence, energy, a sense of being grounded. I liked Penny instantly, but I was particularly drawn by the comment of one of Bruton Parish s older members: She s fantastic! And her blog is wonderful! Weston brings a fine mind and a great thirst for social justice, as well as energy and joy for his calling to St. Stephen s. Plus, he invited an old lady like me to be his friend on Facebook. There are big shoes to be filled, and these folks can fill them! Gussie Bannard, Senior Warden What excites me most about welcoming Penny, Mary and Weston to St. Stephen s is their palpable excitement about joining us! Of course, they are each uniquely qualified and each bring their own gifts but they are all drawn to St. Stephen s in a way that is humbling. Each of them is excited and anxious to be involved in every aspect of our multi-faceted ministry. The energy they will bring is exciting in itself. They all appreciate Gary s obvious leadership and ministry and they love how St. Stephen s seems to be about meeting people where they are in their journey of faith. Allison Koschak, Search Committee I think Penny, Mary and Weston would be a dream team. They all have so many gifts to bring to our church. Tia Owen, Search Committee 4 Page