Father David installed as rector

It was a joyous evening at St. Andrew's on June 5 as we celebrated our shared ministry with The Rev. David Stock.

Bishop Scott Barker and Canon Liz Easton came to this little stone church to recognize Father David as our rector in a Celebration of New Ministry. Father David  was with us on a trial basis for a year and recently agreed to become our rector.  As rector, he has the authority and the responsibility for worship and the spiritual direction of the parish, as well as for the building and grounds. 

We were glad to welcome other visiting clergy, too, including The Rev. Emily Schnabl, who serves St. Martha's Episcopal Church in Papillion and is married to Father David, and The Rev. Mary Hendricks, whose visits to lead worship at St. Andrew's are warmly received.

 Several parishioners from St. David's Episcopal Church in Lincoln attended the worship service and meal afterwards. In order to allow Father David to serve both churches, each parish has been flexible about service times and other scheduling. This makes for busy Sundays for Father David, who leads  worship first in Lincoln at 10 a.m. and then in Seward at 12:30 p.m. 

Canon Easton highlighted the theme of shared ministry in her sermon, noting the many ways that lay people of St. Andrew's participate in the ministry of the church.