20 April 2023

Dear Christophers,

I have some news to share about our common life together. First, to add context, I am reminded of an important truth captured by the author Susan Cain: “We are built to live simultaneously in love and loss, in bitter and sweet.” And while this statement is true, as Easter people, we also recognize that out of all loss, new life emerges…

The news is that our well-loved Associate Rector, the Rev. Ansley Walker, will be leaving us for a new position in the church this summer, and we will be receiving the Rev. John Fountain as our new Curate, from the Seminary of the Southwest. 

While this change is not anticipated until early July 2023, we felt that it was time to share the news with everyone, as we are already making plans into the summer and desire transparency. The wheels for this change started turning nearly a year ago, as Ansley+ realized that she needed to be living closer to Ben. And even though that relationship has changed, getting to the DC / Northern VA area is still a ‘call’ on Ansley’s+ heart. With that, she has been in the interview process for some months, as she tries to discern the Spirit’s guidance for her next positioning. Because Mother Ansley is so very talented and comes with the finest of credentials, she is able to patiently discern a true call versus settling on any invitation. In sharing this news early on, Ansley+ invites all of us to join her in prayer and heart, as she does her part in the interview process and in listening for God’s call. Just as we have been in mutual ministry together for two years, it is exciting to join her in witnessing how the Holy Spirit will communicate her next step! Prayer works; prayer unites us.

And while half of this news is initially sad that Ansley+ will be physically leaving, we know that change brings growth! She came to us in the season of rebuilding through the back-half of COVID lockdowns and helped us get ministries up and running again. With this new season of full-stride ministry at hand, we will be able to welcome our new Curate, John+ and his wife, Kelly, and their three girls. They come from our Diocese, as John+ was presented for Holy Orders from St. Paul’s in Mobile, AL. In consultation with me, John+ and the Holy Spirit, Bishop Russell discerned that John+ was a good fit for St. Christopher’s. I couldn’t agree more! 

For those of you who have been Christopher’s for a while, you recognize this pattern of receiving new curates out of seminary, mutually growing in faith, and then sending them out in the fullness of their priesthood to the rest of church. In fact, this immersion training-role has become one of our core missions and is one of our distinct charisms. Without a doubt, this is the holy work of a healthy congregation that is large enough to support two clergy - as we offer the marks of Christ to our local neighbors. And just as Ansley+ has done, new clergy who have joined us from seminary across the years bring new energy and ideas with them. This regular influx of new life is one of the reasons we attract new parishioners and can sustain the joy of folks who have been Christopher’s all their lives. God is working ahead of us – clearing the way for life and more life!

Please hold both Ansley+ and John+ in your daily prayers. How blessed we have been and continue to be… 

Me and Jesus quote the angels, saying: “Fear not!”

Susan…+

The Rev. Susan R. Sowers

Rector, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church