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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