Dear Christophers,

The good part about ‘goodbyes’ is that they allow ‘new beginnings.’

Yesterday the congregation learned that Father John has been called to serve as rector of a beautiful church in Rhode Island. Of course, losing him and the entire Fountain family will initially feel like a loss for us. But this is a new beginning for the Fountains, and super good news for St Luke’s and the wider church. John+ and his family have blessed us, just as we have blessed them. It is now time for he and his family to head north as John+ will take on more responsibility and continue to grow as a priest. We will always be an important part of their journey, just as they have been in ours. As one of the few parishes in the Diocese who can offer a curacy for newly minted priests, launching Father John means we are living into one of our core charisms of helping to form priests in a healthy and mission-oriented parish. This is good news, indeed - as God has us all in his good care!

It will also serve as a “new beginning” of sorts for Mother Jen… 

She will now ably step into the Associate Rector’s position (August 3rd) and will be the priest providing the continuity for St. Christopher’s even after I retire in October. I got the good news today that Bishop Russell nominated, and Bishop George Young accepted our Sr. Warden’s invitation to serve as our Interim Rector! As you may remember, Bp George has a great relationship with St. Christopher’s after serving as the Interim Rector during my sabbatical a couple of summers ago. We will be in fine hands as he, Jen+, the vestry and staff lead our parish.

In the meantime, Jen+ and I are a great team, and with everyone’s help, St. Christopher’s will not miss a beat. As a bit of background, this past year, with three priests, we had been able to step into a partnership with St. Monica’s. It was certainly a good thing to do for our sister parish, but was hard on Jen+ and John+ to be gone nearly every other Sunday, and unable to be as present with our community. So, in some ways, it will now be less complicated with two priests – as we will not have to juggle the worship services at St. Monica’s. Also, Deacon Clelia will continue to bless us by serving with us on Sundays. 

The clergy and staff have been steadily planning ahead. Just today we finished planning the long-range calendar for the next 12 months and have already planned the Christian Education program through the end of 2025. Later in June we will be hosting our planning meetings for Worship, Stewardship and Creation Care. 

Be assured, we are in really good shape with our outreach ministries, worship services, pastoral care, wellness programs, facilities management, children’s spiritual formation and even our social opportunities with one another. With the Christopher Concerts in full swing, Vacation Bible School next week, our Jazz-Eucharist Pentecost on June 8th, and Youth Mission Trip to New Orleans right after that - we are doing great!

So, come and join the Sunday Funday Fountain Farewell Day on Sunday, June 29th! 

We want the Fountains to feel all our love before they launch out on this New Adventure of Faith!  

Christ guides us forward!

Susan…+

Rector, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church