Dear Holy Apostles,
“Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say rejoice!” These words from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Philippians (4:4) continue resounding in my heart as I sink deeper into the happy reality of being called to serve as your rector at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles! I am joyful, humbled, and grateful to join this particular community of the Jesus Movement, one that I have admired from afar for a long time. In this message, I intend to express my gratitude and to share a little about my family and me. Over the next few weeks, I plan to share some other messages, so that we can start to get to know one another. Let me turn here to expressing appreciation.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to the Vestry, the Search Committee, and this entire community of Holy Apostles! Having served as an associate rector in two churches during a rector change, I am aware of how much time, talent, and treasure is required to do the good work of discernment in finding clergy leadership. I am grateful for the good work of the vestry and committee members, and I look forward to finding a time to celebrate their efforts. In the meantime, I hope you will reach out to say thank you to those who have worked to bring us to this point. Now I want to share a bit about my family and me.
I am a cradle Episcopalian who grew up in Birmingham attending St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in the Southside Neighborhood. After graduating from Vestavia Hills High School, I studied Psychology and Religion at Sewanee: The University of the South. Sewanee helped me to make lifelong friendships, to embrace a mature Christian Faith, and to learn how to learn. Post college for three years, I served as a college chaplain at Sewanee and during that time I discerned a call to ordained ministry. I attended Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX for theological studies. There I loved my time of priestly formation in community. I also met a Masters of Counseling student named Kim, and we quickly bonded during seminary flag football practices, on long walks, and in times of centering prayer. A few years later, we got married and now have two beautiful children—Teddy (6) and Lucy (almost 1).
My first call out of seminary was as Curate and Associate Rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Decatur, AL. At St. John’s, my time was formative in learning to serve, preach, teach, care, and celebrate as a newly ordained person. I loved working at St. John’s with its lay leaders, staff, and the Rev. Evan Garner. Kim and I also learned lots of lessons about being a clergy family. In early 2019, I accepted the call to serve as an Associate Rector at All Saints in Homewood, AL. at All Saints, I have overseen the areas of Outreach, Evangelism, and Christian Formation with parishioners, staff, and my fellow clergy. Over the last five years I was privileged to serve with amazing fellow clergy including the Rt. Rev. Dr. Glenda Curry, the Rev. Charles Youngson, the Rev. Mike Cleckler, the Rev. Mary Bea Sullivan, the Rev. Brad Landry, and the Rev. Cindy Carter. All of these experiences have helped to form me as a follower of Jesus who is excited and ready to lead among you all!
In addition to working as a priest, I love being in the woods, hanging with family, running, cooking, and watching sports, especially college football, soccer, and Formula One. I also love supporting Kim in her ministry as a licensed practicing counselor. My family and I are so looking forward to getting to know all of you and to become a part of the wonderful community of Holy Apostles! I pray that you all have a lovely and intentional time of preparation during Advent as we await the Christ Child’s coming at Christmas.
Advent blessings,
Seth
