This Friday marks the 23rd anniversary of his ministry as our Rector, or Senior Pastor. It must have been quite a change for him and his family (Barb, Peter, AJ and Whitney) to move from the high skies of Colorado to the sunny humidity of Central Florida. Another still to transition from leading conferences and a national ministry to return to the local rhythms of parish life. Greater changes and challenges have come in the years since, blending joys and sorrows into the type of ministry that can only occur “in place”.
Thom Shaw was the Senior Warden in 1993, and Sheryl (not yet Shaw) was already a member of the staff. In the years since, over 20 people have discerned their vocations and have been ordained and Father Carl was himself consecrated a bishop in Christ’s church. Many others have found faith, or found their faith once again, and have been released into ministry and service through his consistent message that the Father’s love for us changes everything.
The average length of a pastorate here in the US is between 3 and 5 years. Bishop Carl’s ministry with us is testimony of God’s grace, his commitment, and the support of his family.
Please take the opportunity to congratulate our pastor and his wife on this anniversary, and give thanks to them and to God for the gift of a faithful shepherd. You may also congratulate Carl on this first Easter since his consecration last May. Please pray for his ministry here and among God’s people around the world.
Happy Anniversary.
