Father Tom Retires
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Dear friends:
As of January 1, 2025, I am retired from the Rectorship of Saint Paul's, Kinderhook.
I was called by the Vestry of Saint Paul's in November 2014, and was instituted by Bishop Love in April 2015.
The past 10 years have been eventful, including not only the COVID public health crisis but a vacant Episcopate in the Diocese of Albany; as President of the Standing Committee it was my responsibility and joy to help lead the Diocese, particularly in the discernment, election, and seating of the Tenth Bishop of Albany, Bishop Jeremiah Williamson.
After 15 years of ordained ministry, it is time for a rest, and to use this break from daily parish duties to discern what God is calling me to do next. Although I am retired from parish ministry, I remain a priest of the Diocese of Albany. Mother Judith and I will live in Troy and I will continue to preside over the Standing Committee. I will not, however, take on other commitments for the foreseeable future, in order to give me flexibility to follow the Holy Spirit's sometimes unexpected an last-minute promptings, and to visit long-neglected family.
Although I no longer have any rights or responsibilities regarding the spiritual or temporal affairs of Saint Paul's, and no involvement in the pastoral care of individuals, at the Bishop's suggestion I will continue, for about three weeks, to tie up loose ends so that administrative details are addressed. Also at the Bishop's suggestion, I will continue preparing a cohort of individuals for Confirmation and Reception into the Communion of the Episcopal Church by Bishop Williamson when he visits on Sunday, January 19, 2025. Click here to see more. Following Mass that day, Mother Judith and I look forward to attending a farewell reception being graciously organized in our honor. It will also be a wonderful time to celebrate the newly confirmed and received Episcopalians at Saint Paul’s!
During this time of transition, the Churchwardens will be responsible for ensuring the ongoing spiritual life of the parish and the Vestry will, alongside its more important role as lay spiritual leaders, continue to exercise its responsibilities for the parish's temporal affairs. The Diocesan Transition Minister will work with the parish during the interim period, to process all that has happened and to deal with any issues that need to be addressed before embarking on the process of discerning the parish's mission and vocation. Once that is done, the parish can then initiate a search for a new rector.
I could go on and on thanking people for all the ways they have blessed me and the parish. I hope, too, that you will make it a point to thank one another for taking on the hard work of service to the Lord in worship, discipleship, and evangelism.
I will continue to love and pray for the Saint Paul's community and for the people who have blessed me in the church and in the local area during this time. I hope you will pray for me as well.
God bless you all in the new year, deepen your faith, and strengthen you to do and be the church God calls you to be in this area, as a fully engaged and vibrant missionary outpost of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany.
As of January 1, 2025, I am retired from the Rectorship of Saint Paul's, Kinderhook.
I was called by the Vestry of Saint Paul's in November 2014, and was instituted by Bishop Love in April 2015.
The past 10 years have been eventful, including not only the COVID public health crisis but a vacant Episcopate in the Diocese of Albany; as President of the Standing Committee it was my responsibility and joy to help lead the Diocese, particularly in the discernment, election, and seating of the Tenth Bishop of Albany, Bishop Jeremiah Williamson.
After 15 years of ordained ministry, it is time for a rest, and to use this break from daily parish duties to discern what God is calling me to do next. Although I am retired from parish ministry, I remain a priest of the Diocese of Albany. Mother Judith and I will live in Troy and I will continue to preside over the Standing Committee. I will not, however, take on other commitments for the foreseeable future, in order to give me flexibility to follow the Holy Spirit's sometimes unexpected an last-minute promptings, and to visit long-neglected family.
Although I no longer have any rights or responsibilities regarding the spiritual or temporal affairs of Saint Paul's, and no involvement in the pastoral care of individuals, at the Bishop's suggestion I will continue, for about three weeks, to tie up loose ends so that administrative details are addressed. Also at the Bishop's suggestion, I will continue preparing a cohort of individuals for Confirmation and Reception into the Communion of the Episcopal Church by Bishop Williamson when he visits on Sunday, January 19, 2025. Click here to see more. Following Mass that day, Mother Judith and I look forward to attending a farewell reception being graciously organized in our honor. It will also be a wonderful time to celebrate the newly confirmed and received Episcopalians at Saint Paul’s!
During this time of transition, the Churchwardens will be responsible for ensuring the ongoing spiritual life of the parish and the Vestry will, alongside its more important role as lay spiritual leaders, continue to exercise its responsibilities for the parish's temporal affairs. The Diocesan Transition Minister will work with the parish during the interim period, to process all that has happened and to deal with any issues that need to be addressed before embarking on the process of discerning the parish's mission and vocation. Once that is done, the parish can then initiate a search for a new rector.
I could go on and on thanking people for all the ways they have blessed me and the parish. I hope, too, that you will make it a point to thank one another for taking on the hard work of service to the Lord in worship, discipleship, and evangelism.
I will continue to love and pray for the Saint Paul's community and for the people who have blessed me in the church and in the local area during this time. I hope you will pray for me as well.
God bless you all in the new year, deepen your faith, and strengthen you to do and be the church God calls you to be in this area, as a fully engaged and vibrant missionary outpost of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany.