Friday, August 17, 2012

Announcement from the Discernment Committee


August 15, 2012
Dear Parishioners and Friends of S. Mary’s,
We are pleased to announce that we have finalized our letter of agreement with our next Rector.  After receiving over 60 interested candidates, the Discernment Committee presented Reverend Nathan Ferrell to the Vestry on August 1st.  The Vestry voted unanimously to accept the Discernment Committee’s nomination.
Father Nathan comes to us from New Jersey. Since 2008, he has served as the rector of a shared ministry in Gloucester City and Bellmawr, New Jersey. He graduated from the University of Vermont (Environmental Studies; ’95), Baptist Theological Seminary (’98) and the Virginia Theological Seminary (’02). He was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel in the Baptist tradition in 1998 and as a deacon and priest in the Episcopal Church in 2002. Prior to serving in New Jersey, Father Nathan was the Rector at Trinity Topsfield, MA and an associate at St. George’s Fredericksburg, VA.
Father Nathan is a warm, energetic and spiritual person. As a priest, he is passionate about ensuring that he connects his parish with the life changing messages in the Gospel. He believes in taking his ministry out of the church. He loves preaching and teaching. His affable nature allows him to connect with people of all ages as well as those in different places on their faith journey. He adapts easily to the customs and traditions of the parish he serves.
Father Nathan is married to his college sweetheart, Erin McGee Ferrell. Erin is a professional artist (erinmcgeeferrell.com). Together, they have 3 children, Angus, 16; Se (Shay), 14; and Fiona, 10. The Ferrell family has two dogs, Seamus and, native Mainer, Claire, who was acquired on their vacation in New England in July.  The Ferrell Family loves New England especially the time they spend at their cabin in New Hampshire.
Father Nathan will officially start on November 5th, preaching for the first time on November 11th. Our next Ave will have more details about Father Nathan’s ministry and life as well as more information on the transition to the start of his ministry.
The Rev. John Widdows will be the celebrant for the next three weeks and we are working on coverage for the remaining weeks.
We are pleased to be looking forward to this next chapter at Saint Mary’s. With our renovated and new spaces and a new Rector, the best is yet to come for our parish family.

The Wardens, Vestry and Discernment Committee

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