My dear family in Christ,

On Monday morning I informed the wardens of St. Andrew’s and St. Paul’s that I have accepted a call to serve as the Canon for Development and Stewardship in the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland. Together we agreed that my last Sundays will be January 7 at St. Andrew's, and December 31 at St. Paul's.

St. Andrew’s has been the faith community that has nurtured me and my family for 15 years. The relationships we share with one another, with God, and with the world around us have shaped my identity as a faithful Christian. Joy-filled celebrations like baptisms, weddings, and mortgage burnings have punctuated our shared journey with hope and fulfillment. Walking together through times of transition, death, struggles, and pandemic have allowed us to rely on the strength we share in Christian community. St. Andrew’s has a kind and warm heart for God’s people, and my heart has grown kinder and warmer in your presence for the past 15 years. 

The 28 months of partnership with St. Paul’s has offered a lesson in hope-filled experimentation and faithfulness. By working with lay and ordained leaders and utilizing College of Congregational Development tools, we stepped into a season of spiritual renewal and revitalized ministry in the Poplar Springs community. Partnering with you has been a joy and delight for me, and I will treasure the moments of growth and hope we have shared. 

While I am excited about this new call, I will deeply grieve the loss of being in this community. I hope that we will have time to say a good good-bye to one another, and trust more and more deeply in God to care for one another as our pastoral relationship comes to an end. Until that moment, I remain rector/priest-in-partnership and will seek to lead and serve in ways that position both congregations in good stead for the future. 

This will certainly be a time of significant change for both congregations. Beginning next week, the wardens, staff, vestry members, other leaders, and I will strategize about ways to continue the vibrant array of offerings that serve your spiritual needs and draw our community closer to Christ. I am pleased that the Rev. Jennifer Grimelli, Associate Rector, and the Rev. Amy Shimonkevitz, Deacon, are capable and committed leaders who remain on staff to preach, teach, and pastor during this time of transition in leadership.

I want to see a lot of you before I leave. I hope you will be as present as possible for our Advent and Christmas seasons. As we journey with longing for Christ to dwell among us, we continue praising God and being Good News people.

This coming Sunday we welcome both bishops to both congregations. It will be a beautiful Advent service and the choir is singing a beautiful anthem at 9 am. There will be confirmations and a reception at 9 am. We have much to celebrate! Following the three worship services, the bishops will meet with both vestries at a luncheon, which will support our planning efforts for the clergy transition. I hope to see you on Sunday.

Until then, let us pray for one another, giving thanks to God for journeys shared, and asking for God's wisdom in the days ahead.

In kindness and peace,

Dina

The Rev. Dina van Klaveren

Rector, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Glenwood & 

Priest-in-partnership, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Poplar Springs