For the next year, I will be Interim Rector at Trinity Episcopal Church in Lawrence, Kansas. My duties begin on August 5. Gay will remain in Galveston until the house is sold. Until then, we'll commute to spend a few days together about once a month.
Trinity, Lawrence, is a parish with a great history and a bright future. The Rev. Jonathon Jensen has been Rector for the last six years and has been called to be Dean of Trinity Cathedral in Little Rock, Arkansas . Under his leadership, the people of Trinity Church have reached new levels of unity, fellowship, and outreach. The Sunday evening Solemn High Mass during the academic year attracts members of the university community and Episcopalians who appreciate Anglo-Catholic liturgy. Trinity is host to an ecumenical food pantry that serves those in need.
Lawrence is the home of the University of Kansas. It is a vibrant city with an wonderful historic downtown. We were lodged in the Eldridge Hotel and treated to meals in two of the downtown restaurants. A member of the Vestry took Gay to the Downtown Farmers' Market , which she enjoyed very much.
The primary objective of an intentional interim minister is to shepherd the parish through a series of tasks that will help them prepare to call their next Rector. The actual search process will be guided by The Rev. Canon Mary K. Siegmund, Canon to the Ordinary. Leadership for the search is already in place and they are in the early organizational stage.
Gay and I spent the weekend of July 26-28 in Lawrence to meet the Staff and the Vestry. They were gracious and generous hosts and, to top it off, they know how to have fun! Senior Warden Ellen Tracy and her husband, Dr. Terry Tracy, went out of their way to see that we were made to feel welcome. We also spent time with The Rt. Rev. Dean E. Wolfe, Bishop of The Diocese of Kansas. We are looking forward to working with these wonderful people!
We've rented an apartment at Hutton Farms, about a ten minute drive from the church. Another member of the parish helped Gay find it. We will continue to use our Galveston address and phone numbers, at least until the Galveston house is sold. After I arrive in Lawrence, I'll post additional contact information.
I am so sorry to see you leave us, but if you are happy, I am happy for you. You will be missed terribly.
Posted by: golfsis | 07/06/2009 at 01:03 PM
Super for you both. we will keep you in our prayers
Posted by: Karen and Mike Peterson | 07/06/2009 at 04:27 PM
Congratulations on your and Gay's new ministry though it takes you from Texas. SOunds like a wonderful congregation.n.
Posted by: Frank Staggs | 07/07/2009 at 06:53 AM
Ron, congratulations on this new ministry. One of my beloved former parishioners from Waco is the new Head of School at the cathedral in Little Rock...welcome to the tiny world that is the Episcopal Church!
Posted by: Jason Haddox | 07/12/2009 at 01:40 PM
Ron: Welcome to Lawrence, although you are not here in person yet. I am sure we will be blessed by your presence and that both you and Trinty can continue to grow in Christ's spirit.
Posted by: Tod Sutton | 07/28/2009 at 08:11 PM