Our Journey: welcoming our New Rector
the rev. dr. lyndon shakespeare joined us Oct. 25th, 2020
Dear Friends at Holy Comforter,
The Vestry unanimously elected The Rev. Dr. Lyndon Shakespeare to be Holy Comforter’s new Rector! Father Lyndon last served as the Senior Associate for Formation and Pastoral Care at Historic Christ Church in Alexandria, Virginia, and as an affiliated professor at Virginia Theological Seminary. Ordained in 2002, he has served throughout Virginia, New Jersey and New York as a rector, an assistant rector, a trained interim rector, and the Director of Program and Ministry at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. In 2015 Father Lyndon completed the Archbishop’s Examination in Theology with a cohort that gathered at Lambeth Palace biannually for
several years, culminating in the bestowal of a PhD by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Father Lyndon is originally from Australia, and is married to Margaret Peel-Shakespeare, who is also an Episcopal priest. He has three college-age children, the youngest of whom is starting his freshman year as we speak.
We chose Father Lyndon from a slate of three outstanding candidates passed on to us from the Search Committee. The discernment of both groups was guided by your feedback from the profile process last winter. Our Parish Profile expresses that you want our next rector to be:
· Rooted in Jesus - Our new rector's missional mindset will empower the people of Holy Comforter to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. Our worshipping community is looking for authenticity, openness, humor, passion and good listening skills in our new rector, and someone who has a vibrancy for God. We imagine this vibrancy inspiring members of our parish to invite others from all walks of life to join, feel welcomed, and be renewed.
· A Partner in Ministry - Holy Comforter is making a strong effort to Walk the Way of Jesus by extending our hands to all, leaning into our name, and etching our presence more deeply into our community. Our ideal partner in ministry will appreciate our past, recognize our place in the change process, dream with us for a healthy future, and seek to develop a mantle of shared leadership, strong stewardship, and deep partnership.
· A Compelling Storyteller - Our members are spiritually renewed each week by engaging sermons, storytelling, and a strong liturgical presence.
· An Experienced Administrator - Our rector must also have administrative and financial experience, having run one or more successful capital campaigns, as well as successful work with a vestry, staff, and diverse community partners.
We are confident that Father Lyndon fits this bill quite well and that God is calling him to walk together with us through the next chapter of Holy Comforter’s life and ministry.
We have prepared a short introduction video for you, which we invite you to view here. Father Lyndon’s first day in the office was October 19th, and his first Sunday with us was October 25th. Please continue to watch for ways in which you can help welcome Lyndon and his wife, Margaret, to Holy Comforter. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to transition to their new home in Colorado.
Thank you all for your support, patience, and prayers as we continue to navigate through this time of transition. As always, please feel free to reach out to us if you have questions or concerns.