I am truly humbled by the Vestry's call to serve as Rector of you parish.  I have been very impressed by the Search Committee and Vestry.  The members of both groups demonstrate a profound love for Saint Paul's, a genuine affection for each other, and a passion for pursuing God's call to ministry.  Your worship space is beautiful and inspiring, your building comfortable and inviting, and your parish grounds are attractive and well-maintained. Suffolk appears to be a dynamic, historical area that is undergoing revitalization and growth.  All in all, your call is a wonderful opportunity and my enthusiasm for our time together is tempered only by the work I must do to say good-bye to the people I love here in Richmond.

Some quick details about me.  I grew up in Akron, OH and was raised in the Presbyterian Church.  I came to the Episcopal Church after college and was ordained in 1987 after graduating from Virginia Theological Seminary.  I served two different Ohio congregations as Assistant to the Rector before accepting a call to be rector of a small church in Keokuk, IA.  From there I moved to Richmond in 1997 to serve as Rector of the Church of the Epiphany.  I have two daughters - Ellen who this fall will be a sophomore in high school and Abbey who will be entering middle school.  My girls will continue to live with their mother in Richmond.  I am grateful to be an easy ninety minute drive away from them and trust that, from time to time, you all will get to see them in Suffolk.  I have a Jack Russell Terrier named "Dipstick" and a cat whose name was "Socks" but has morphed into "Fatty" for reasons that will be obvious when you meet him.

I feel a strong sense of calling to the pastoral needs of your parish and rejoice to share with your leadership a sense of vision for your future.  I look forward to being with you starting October 1st when we begin our new life together.  I told both the Search Committee and Vestry that I am not a miracle worker.  What I hope to bring to you is who I hope to be for you: a servant of God and fellow pilgrim who is compassionate, consistent, even, open, understanding, faithful, reflective, imaginative, and joyful.  I trust that this is what I can best do to nurture the kind of parish environment where all of your gifts and talents can be honored and expressed.  This, in turn, will translate to congregational life, renewal, and vitality.

I pray that God will guide and bless us in the years to come.

Keith +

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