|
A Letter from
the Wardens
July 29, 2003
Be anxious for nothing, but in
everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests
be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)
Dear Friends,
Two years ago we were a parish
marked by uncertainty and sadness. One year ago, we were moving through
grief and beginning the work of searching for a new rector. For the past
ten months, our Rector Search Committee has worked diligently while we
have prayed that the Spirit of wisdom would direct their efforts to
discern who would best love and lead us as a faithful pastor.
In mid-July, the rector search
culminated with personal interviews of four excellent candidates, who
visited with the committee, wardens, and members of the Vestry over the
past two weeks.
With joy and thanksgiving, we share
the wonderful news that, by unanimous vote on Saturday, July 26, the
committee recommended we call Father Mark Kelm as our new rector. On
Sunday afternoon, the Vestry
accepted the recommendation, and Father Mark accepted the call. He will be
with us on Rally Sunday, September 7. We will retain our summer schedule
that day and hold services at 8:00 and 10:00.
Father Mark comes to us from
St.
Mark's Cathedral, where he has served in several capacities.
Prior to working at the Cathedral, he was Assistant Rector at
St. Martin's in Minnetonka Beach.
Father Mark and his wife Beth have
a 15-month-old daughter, Grace. They are expecting their second child in
January. Since completing a Teens Encounter Christ (T.E.C.) retreat held
here many years ago, Father Mark has long felt a strong connection to St.
John in the Wilderness. He and Beth look forward to making a new home for
their family in our church and our community.
As we prepare to welcome them, we
also prepare to bid farewell to Father Jay and Father Steve. With God's
grace, they have been a wonderful interim team, encouraging us to grow in
confidence as we strengthened our ministries and parish programs. On
Sunday, August 17, we will celebrate their gifts and blessings with a
special reception between the 8:00 and 10:00 services.
As we bid good-bye again to a
familiar interim team, what awaits us is excitement, anticipation, and the
unknown. Let us "be anxious for nothing." Father Mark felt led to us by
the Spirit, just as the Search Committee felt led to him. With prayer and
grace, we will move forward together to grow in God's love.
With peace and joy,
Sherri Afryl
Warden
Dianne Del Giorno
Warden
Additional Links
|
