Dear St. Thomas Family,

On Sunday I met with senior warden, Rip Tilden, to let him know I will be stepping down after almost six years as rector of St. Thomas church.

When I was ordained in 2012, I told Bishop White I would never become a rector. He responded, “We’ll see.”

I was called to be Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas in March of 2016, and almost immediately I knew I wanted to be your rector. I quickly fell in love with the community and when you called me to be your rector in June 2017, I was overjoyed. You welcomed and loved me and my family in so many ways. You let me be me, and we grew together.

One of the things I have valued and loved the most is how you always understood, accepted, and supported God’s first call on my life—that to be wife and mother. God is now asking me to answer that first call again.

Chris has been called to be the executive director of The Boys Home of Virginia, a mission of two Episcopal dioceses. While we both are 100% certain this is where God is calling us, we are also sad to leave Louisville and St. Thomas.

Chris will begin work in mid-December. My final Sunday at St. Thomas will be January 9. Between now and then we will do what we have done well together for almost 6 years—we will laugh, cry, worship, and serve our community. We will continue to join God to create community that respects the dignity of all.

As I said, I met with Rip on Sunday, and together we informed the vestry Wednesday evening. Rip has reached out to the Diocesan office, and he and the vestry will work closely with them during the transition after I leave. The leadership of St. Thomas is strong, capable, and faithful. St. Thomas is in very good hands. I am confident the ministry of St. Thomas will continue to thrive.

As to what ministry God will call me to in Virginia, well, I guess, we’ll see.

Faithfully,

Katherine+