CLERGY COLLEGIALITY

By the Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Girata

Growing up in the Roman Catholic Church, I always held the priests in high esteem. As a member of the choir and as an acolyte, not to mention being a parishioner in the pews, I respected the office of the priesthood and imagined super serious men (of course they were all men) who were far holier than me. Fast forward to adulthood and now I am a priest, and my experience of what the priesthood means is quite different.

For many, priests can be hard to get to know. Each person has their own experience with ordained leaders and some of our most formative experiences drive our adult understanding. It’s true that priests play a vital role in the life of our church. The Catechism notes that “the ministry of a priest or presbyter” is “to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as pastor to the people; to proclaim the gospel; to administer the sacraments; and to bless and declare pardon in the name of God (BCP, p. 856).” At Saint Michael, we have a team of priests. When you count our part-time priests, including our Sunday assistants, we have nine! Such a large group is unusual for the Episcopal Church.

You might be surprised to know that in many churches, clergy don’t get along. Yes, it’s true that in many Episcopal churches, there can be rocky relationships between parish priests that often spill out into the congregation.

That’s why I’m so very grateful for the clergy team we have at Saint Michael! The clergy team that’s gathered to serve our church is intelligent, generous, highly capable, and a lot of fun. We actually like each other!

When the pandemic hit, I really missed seeing my clergy colleagues. When we were able to start gathering in person again, I began to schedule regular moments when we could get outside the weekly pattern of logistics meetings and focus on deepening our relationships. These moments have proven so very valuable. In addition to regular moments when the clergy gather outside a regular meeting room, I’m also hosting semi-annual parties. This fall, the clergy gathered with spouses to take a cooking class at Sur la Table and had a blast. I’ve included some pictures from the event because I know you’ll enjoy seeing the priests in their “civies.”

I am very grateful to the leaders of our parish who support the collegiality of our clergy, and I appreciate you for the kindness and love you show to all the priests here. Thank you for your continued investment and energy to make Saint Michael such a faithful community in which all of us can deepen our discipleship. And thank you for making Saint Michael such a wonderful place to do ministry together!

Grant Them Eternal Rest

May the souls of these faithful departed rest in peace

Samuel L. Parham, Jr.

January 5, Drew Hutchinson Steele Parham (wife)

Janice D. Bloodgood

July 4, Kristi Wilson (daughter), Scott (son-in-law), Brynn and Charlotte (granddaughters)

Drew Hutchinson Steele Parham

July 10

James Howard "Jim" Barnett

September 1, Tricia Monfrey (sister) and Mark (brother-in-law)

Daniel John Lyke

October 2, Jennifer Sorrells (sister), Chris (brother-in-law), Dylan and Bennett (nephews)

Margaret Volk "Peggy" Wood

October 3

Max Walker Wells

October 6, Martha Wells (wife), Duncan and Amy Kimmerling (step-children)

Logan Aaryn Talley

October 16, Larry Talley and Ellen (parents), Tripp, Ashten, Daisy, Haley, Hayden and Jackson (siblings)

Brian Alan Buongiorno

October 22, Liz Ann Ellinor (mother-in-law)

Janice Jacobi Martina

October 26, Ann Brown (daughter), Doug (son-in-law), Renner and Rowen (grandsons)

Jack Rue Coleman

October 27

Gary Dale Callarman

October 28, Paul Callarman (son), Bess (daughter-in-law), Jack and Kate (grandchildren)

Marilyn Humphrey Moore

October 30, Melissa Carry (daughter) and James (son-in-law)

Edwin Pratt "Ed" Crenshaw

November 2, Bob Crenshaw, Jr. (brother), Christy (sisterin-law), Katie, Alicia, Robert, Elizabeth and Hal (nieces and nephews)

Douglas Geoffrey McGrath

November 3, Mary Abrams (sister)

Jan Terese Jones

November 14, Michael Huggins (son), Monica (daughter-inlaw), Foster, Libby and Eli (grandchildren)

William Norman "Bill" Hamilton

November 18

David Washburn Soelter

November 18, Lila Soelter (wife), Judy Spiva (daughter) and Mike (son-in-law)

Mary Lou Bray

November 25, Melisa Bray (daughter-in-law)

Don Carlos Chancelor

November 25, Ann Mills (sister)

Elaine Folley Notestine

November 27

Freda B. Baber

November 28, Rob Baber (son) and Lisa (daughter-in-law)

Susanne Marie Faulkner Osborne

November 29, Erin Osborne (sister-in-law) and Vic Schmerbeck (brother-in-law)

William McLauchlin Bass

November 30, Margaret Watson (daughter), Brad (son-inlaw), Eleanor and Emily (granddaughters)

Constance Patrick "Connie" Nicholas

December 1, Trez Patrick (son), Becky (daughter-in-law), Anna and Brooks (grandchildren)

John Augustine Alexander

December 5, Jennifer Alexander (wife)

Gwen Mills Johnson

December 12

Virginia Justin Gagnon McEwen

December 15, Heather Moore (daughter), Jerry (son-in-law) and Graham Moore (grandson)

David Allen McGee

December 16, Liz McGee (wife), Todd McGee (son), Zoe McGee (granddaughter), Mark McGee (son), Jaime (daughter-in-law), Finley and Molly (granddaughters)

Norma Ann Wallace

December 23, Jay Wallace (son), Kathleen (daughter-in-law), Regan and Marshall (grandchildren)

Jean Wright Williams Lattimore

December 25, Whitney Grogan (daughter), Jay (son-in-law) and Will (grandson)

Brooke Erin Millican

Frederick Hagaman Benners

January 6, Betsy Benners (wife), Rick Benners (son), Allison (daughter-in-law), Tripp and Will (grandsons)

Suzanne Lee Mayo

January 8, the Rev. Dr. Chris Girata (nephew), Nicole (niece-in-law), Brayden (great-nephew), Layna, and Annemarie (great-nieces)

Dominick August Sciortino, Jr.

January 10, Gabrielle Ott (daughter) and Luther (son-inlaw), Abby, Jordan, Alli Grace and Luke (grandchildren)

Laura D. Vaccaro

January 10, Debra Decker (niece) and Michael (nephew-in-law)

Herbert Lee "Herb" Brewer

January 13

Joseph "Jay" Barta

January 14, Carolyn Barta (mother)

Linda Kay Sellers Blake

January 18, Erika Bower (granddaughter), Phil (grandsonin-law), Philip and Liliana (great-grandchildren)

Mary “Gayle” Mattingly Kesinger

January 20

Birth Announcements

Celebrating the arrivals of our newest family

Patrick Hadden Halpin

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Parents: Katy Jane and Patrick Halpin

Grandparents: Kathy and Patrick Jenevein

Great-grandparents: Jane and Pat Jenevein

Arthur Edwin Diamonstein

Monday, August 22, 2022

Parents: Callie and Eric Diamonstein

Grandparents: Kathy and Patrick Jenevein

Great-grandparents: Jane and Pat Jenevein

William Alexander Knapp

Sunday, October 30, 2022

Parents: Elizabeth and Spencer Knapp

Alice Arceneaux Barry

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

Parents: Michael & Virginia Barry

Grandparents: Rick and Kay Barry & Ginger Brown

Noah Everly Somodevilla

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Great-grandparents: The Rev. René Somodevilla and Mrs. Nancy Somodevilla

December 27, Dr. Brady Millican (uncle) and Barbara Kennard (aunt) *As of: 1/24/2023

90% of our annual budget is based on YOUR contributions! YOU are putting the hands and feet of God at work in our community by Building His Kingdom through the people of Saint Michael and All Angels. Thank you!

If you have yet to make a pledge or financial gift to the 2023 program year, visit SaintMichael.org/Stewardship2023 or scan the QR code below.

Your support empowers the ministry we are able to provide and will enrich the faith lives of many that you may never know. If you have questions about your pledge, contact Caroline Marak, Director of Stewardship at 214.692.3015 or cmarak@saintmichael.org. Visit SaintMichael.org/Stewardship2023 to make your pledge!