We are delighted to announce the call of our next Rector, the Rev. José R. Fernández, Ph.D.
Father José is a bi-vocational priest currently serving as an associate rector at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles in Hoover, AL, and as a professor of Nutrition Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He will begin his ministry with us on Sunday, March 12th, 2023, in a part-time capacity, serving 20 hours per week.
Father José is a dynamic leader who has exhibited a commitment to spiritual care and helping our parish develop a balance between “in-reach” and “outreach” to continue our work for many years. In addition, he is fluent in Spanish and has expressed support in reviving our ministries with our Hispanic community.
A passionate advocate for physical, mental, and spiritual health and wellness, Father José has been actively involved in adult formation, graduating from the Education for Ministry (EfM) program and serving as an EfM mentor and trainer.
Father José believes that there is a divine share of God in all of us, which shines when we come together in love and community. His faith-based, horizontal leadership approach has been refined over the past 20 years and empowers constituents to share their visions, ideas, and perspectives through equitable and inclusive conversations. He is committed to practicing respect for the dignity, individuality, and authenticity of every human being and empowering people to discover an intimate and personal relationship with God through the development of personal theology and the celebration of people’s gifts and authenticity.
Please join me once again in thanking the Parish Profile Committee and the Search Committee for their prayerful work and tireless efforts. Also, thank you to our parish family for your patience, support, and prayers throughout this search process.
Finally, let us rejoice that God has led Father José to Grace, and together lift him up in prayer as we all prepare for this new chapter in the life of the Parish with openness, a willingness to learn together, and a fresh perspective on how we can grow with each other in new ways.
In Christ,
Don Evans
Senior Warden