Welcome Our New Assistant Rector

Dear Parish Family,

It is a pleasure to share the news that we have a new Assistant Rector. Gabriel Lawrence will be starting at St. Paul’s on October 25. His first Sunday will be November 5. Gabriel will have oversight for our Newcomer, Engagement, and Hospitality ministries.

Gabriel graduated from the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, in May 2022. This past year, he has been the Events Coordinator in the Career Readiness Office at the University of the South. Prior to seminary, he served as an Associate Director of Music and then Director of Music at Episcopal Churches in Georgia. Gabriel lived in Cleveland for about 18 months in 2008-2009 and made St. Paul’s his spiritual home. Bishop Persell confirmed him here at St. Paul’s during that time.

Clergy serve for six months as transitional Deacons, prior to being ordained to the Priesthood. Gabriel will be ordained to the Diaconate at 3 p.m. this Saturday, October 14, at his sending parish, St. Patrick's in Albany, Georgia. Fortunately, the service is being livestreamed and recorded, and you can watch it below. He will be ordained to the Priesthood here at St. Paul’s in the Spring.

All who interviewed Gabriel offered such positive feedback, confirmed by his references. Gabriel is faithful, pastoral, thoughtful, personable, self-motivated, energetic, authentic, and highly organized! I’m so grateful to the members of the Search Committee who assisted me in this search. They gave much time to studying applications, interviewing candidates on Zoom and in person, engaging in discussion, and offering valuable input. My thanks to Claudia Fulton, Susan Quill, Rick Rodems, David Urban, and Amia Wheatley.

Please offer a warm welcome to Gabriel!

Jeanne+