Announcing our New Priest-in-Charge
Dear Saint George’s Community,
We are delighted to announce that on the advice of the Discernment Committee the Vestry has unanimously voted to call our own Associate Rector, the Rev. Dr. Karin J. Ekholm as Saint George’s next Priest-in-Charge.
This decision represents the culmination of over seven months of hard work, thoughtful deliberation, and fervent prayer by committee members. Our Parish Profile, which was developed in October based on feedback from a congregational survey and many individual conversations with parishioners, defined five key attributes sought in our next Priest-in-Charge:
A pastor with a mature confident Christian faith to minister to God’s people, nurturing their growth and maturity as disciples;
An engaging preacher grounded in scripture, tradition, and reason who connects the Word to our daily lives and the world around us;
A collaborative leader to partner with and empower our lay ministries;
An effective administrator who can manage the operational needs of our busy and complex parish;
A willingness to embrace our urban environment, including both the strengths and challenges that come with it.
After receiving resumes in December, the committee identified applicants it felt called to discern with over multiple interview rounds conducted in January, February, and March. While all candidates were superb ministers with extraordinary gifts and talents, the committee reached consensus that Karin was the best choice for Saint George’s.
Karin is an extraordinary priest who deeply loves this community. She combines a theologian’s intellect with a commitment to justice, superb pastoral instincts, and interpersonal warmth. She has a passion for our Anglican heritage, expressed in the liturgy and our traditions of musical excellence. And above all, she is an indefatigable witness for the Good News of Jesus Christ.
This summer we will celebrate Karin’s transition from Associate Rector to Priest-in-Charge. Stay tuned for more information about a celebratory fellowship event in the coming weeks, and what is next for Saint George’s. For now, please share your congratulations with her and keep her, the Vestry, and the parish in your prayers as we enter this exciting new chapter.
Respectfully,
Victor Tolomeo
Senior Warden
Darren Hekhuis
Chair, Priest-in-Charge Discernment Committee
Dear Saint George's,
My heart overflows with joy and gratitude that God has brought us together.
Last spring, when I first visited services and outreach events and engaged in conversations with you, it quickly became evident that our values closely align. I appreciate Saint George's commitment to reflective orthodoxy in worship that seeks to participate in God's work of drawing all people into his Church. Music has always been important to me for knowing God, giving glory to him, and bringing people together. Anglican choral music especially stirs my heart, and I am grateful to our choirs and Music Minister for their dedication. On my first visits, I was also attracted by Saint George's welcoming and diverse community and its outreach initiatives. All this has fed me spiritually in the past year.
As we got to know each other, I saw that we share a desire for preaching that is rooted in Scripture, addresses challenging passages and situations, and leads us to live lives that reflect Christ. Late last fall, I began to discern a call to serve in a Priest-in-Charge or Rector position. I prayerfully submitted my application to the Discernment Committee, and over the past seven months, our conversations have confirmed my sense that God is calling us to serve together.
I love this community, and I am grateful for your kindness toward my son, Marco, and me. Special thanks to our lay leaders and Priest-in-Charge Discernment Committee for their dedicated service. I am excited about several initiatives arising among us, and I look forward to discovering where God is leading Saint George's as we grow in faith, hope, and love.
In the love and light of Christ,
Mother Karin+