Dear St. Paul’s,
It is with great joy that I write to you today, as I prepare to become your next rector
beginning November 8. Having had the pleasure to interact with your Search Committee,
Wardens, and Vestry I have felt the spirit of hospitality, welcome, and love that you all at St.
Paul’s embody. I am so looking forward to getting to know and work with you more and more as we begin our journey together. It seems so fitting that we begin our shared ministry at the onset of our Advent season.
I am sure for many of you it has felt like a long, possibly even arduous season of waiting
and preparing… having had to say goodbye to your beloved Rector of a decade, Fr. Jim
Melnyk, having taken on the intentional work of finding a new church leader, and finally,
prayerfully entering the discerning process of calling that person all while in the midst of a
pandemic. And, for your invitation and acceptance of me as that new rector, I could not be
more thankful and honored. Having the opportunity to serve the Episcopal Church in the
community where my husband Drew and I have chosen to raise our children and root our
family is a blessing and a privilege. We are so thrilled and excited to begin growing in faith
and fellowship alongside each and every one of you.
My hope and prayer is that as we begin our time together, especially during our approaching
season of Advent, we can continue to prepare space in our lives, in our hearts, in our minds,
and in our souls to see how we as St. Paul’s, as baptized Christians, and as members of our
larger community, are being called to this new chapter in our spiritual journey. Take time and space to enjoy the excitement and delight that comes as we embark on a new chapter together, while honoring the places we have come from and things we may have left behind.
As we enter this season of preparing, I encourage you to come and see (or call) me during
my office hours (9 am to 5 pm, Tuesdays through Thursdays). I also love to walk and chat (for those who would like social distance and/or exercise) or have a coffee and chat (for those who would like caffeine and sustenance). I am so thrilled to begin sharing this journey with you as St. Pauls’ continues to be a welcoming, hospitable, and loving presence in our community. I will keep you all in my prayers, and I pray you keep me in yours as we prepare to begin our ministry together.
Your sister in Christ,
The Rev. Kate Byrd
St. Paul's Episcopal Church 