August 1, 2024
Dear St. David’s Community:
I write in the heart of the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer to let you know about some upcoming transitions, dates, and celebrations at St. David’s.
First, as you know, the Rev. Devon Anderson has been serving us as interim rector since January. We have been so blessed to have her talent, patience, and knowledge of church and systems to guide us through this time of transition and help us prepare for the coming of our new rector. Her tenure at St. David’s will come to a close on Sunday, August 25, 2024, when she will preach and celebrate at the 8 a.m., 10 a.m., and 5 p.m. services. There will be a festive coffee hour following the 10 a.m. service in her honor and we would like to present her with a purse. If you would like to contribute to a monetary gift for Devon, you may click here to give online or mail a check to St. David’s with “Devon’s Purse” in the memo line.
Second, the Rev. Rick Morley will begin his ministry with us on Monday, August 26, 2024. He will begin by celebrating at the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services on Sunday, September 1 (Labor Day Weekend). On Sunday, September 8 we will return to the fall/winter schedule and Rick will preach at the 8 a.m., 9:15 a.m., and 5 p.m. services. At all three we will have a liturgy of welcome for Rick and his family, led by members of the Rector Search Committee. After the 9:15 a.m. service that Sunday we will celebrate Rick’s arrival with an all-parish bring-your-own picnic on the fairgrounds. All are welcome and invited to attend.
Finally, on Sunday, September 15 Rick will help lead the Family Service at 9:30 a.m. and will preach and celebrate at 11:30 a.m. There will be liturgies of welcome offered at both services, again led by members of the Rector Search Committee. The intent is for Rick to participate in each of the services early on, and for each service congregation to be able to pray a liturgy of welcome for him.
We are all very excited to welcome a new rector and start a new chapter here at St. David’s. During this time of welcoming, let us keep in mind that we are many and Rick is one. We can help him navigate his first few months in our large congregation by giving him the space and opportunity to get to know us collectively as a community. We are scheduling time for him to meet with our commissions, choirs, Bible studies, and other ministries in the early months after he arrives. After a few months, when he has settled in, there will be time for those lunches, coffees, and cocktail parties on a more individual basis, so please be patient as we give him space to acclimate.
In Christ,
Alison Hastings
Rector’s Warden
Note: Sunday September 8th picnic description updated August 7, 2024.