Anne Richards Called As Associate Priest

 

The Reverend Peter F. Walsh

 

August 15, 2008

 

Dear Friends in Christ:

 

It gives me the greatest pleasure to announce that the Reverend Anne Richards has accepted the call to be a full-time Associate at St. Mark’s.  After a brief week off, she will begin again on Sunday, August 24th.

 

As you know from her interim work, Anne is one of the finest priests in the Episcopal Church and we are mightily blessed to have her on our staff.  She has expert experience, having served the church in parishes, schools, hospitals and at the diocesan level.  Anne loves the Lord and has the deepest affection for all God’s people and a special spot in her heart for children.  She exudes great warmth, inner strength, and clarity of spirit and is a gifted pastor, preacher, and teacher.

 

Anne is a graduate of Smith College (B.A. in English and Psychology); she has an M.A. in English literature from New York University; and a Master of Divinity from General Theological Seminary.

 

Anne will be at the center of parish life – offering pastoral care, preaching, teaching, and celebrating.  In addition, she will teach 8th grade Confirmation class, work with Rhonda on the church school, and coordinate the liturgy.

 

We in the St. Mark’s community are doubly blessed because, as many of you know, Anne is married to the Right Reverend Richard F. Grein, XIV Bishop of New York (retired).  The Bishop is a man of great Godly wisdom, with a twinkle in his eye.  He will be our Bishop-in-Residence and, from time to time, he will preach and teach and advise us on our way.

 

In mid-September, they will be moving to the church property known as ‘the cottage.’

 

Now for the “small world” part of the story.  I was ordained by Bishop Grein in the early 90s and Anne was the leader of my priestly formation group.  Several years ago, when I became the Rector of All Saints’ Episcopal Church and Day School in Phoenix, Arizona, I tried to hire Anne.  She was not ready to move west.  I was the one who had to move east (!) and by God’s providence she was already here when I arrived.

 

Anne and the Bishop’s presence in our community gives me the greatest confidence as we move forward.  I am sure they will help us all lead a deeper life in Christ, a more holy communion with one another, and a greater love for the world. 

 

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine:  Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever.  (Ephesians 3:20, 21)

 

Faithfully and with best wishes,

 

 

Fr. Peter Walsh

Rector