The Wardens, the Vestry, and the Search Committee are happy to announce that the position of Rector of St. Stephen’s Church — by unanimous vote — has been filled.
The Reverend Adam Benjamin Yates comes to us from St. Paul’s on the Green, Norwalk, CT, after having served there for two years as Assistant/Associate Curate. He is a graduate of the Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL, and Northland College, Ashland, WI.
Father Adam is experienced with church growth, parish life and membership development as well as pastoral care and adult/youth formation. Passionate about excellent liturgy of all styles, he believes that our common worship is the foundation of our Christian life. He is practiced in the developing of leadership skills in order to empower a shared, cooperative ministry.
Adam was chosen after a long process which involved formation of focus groups to determine what St. Stephen’s was looking for in our next priest. We completed our Parish Profile, and submitted the information to the Diocese. They, in turn, provided us with the several candidates who were interviewed at length by the Search Committee, who then gave their recommendations to the Vestry. The Vestry then voted on the candidates. This is how we chose Adam. It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? However, this was a combined effort of many selfless people for more than eighteen months. We should thank every member of the Search Committee for their devotion to their duty: Fred Weissbach, Liz Garofalo, Terry Tovey, Nick Grillo, Ed Odell, Debby Duncan, Priscilla Hoover. Also, we would like to thank Susan Adams for the weekly inspirational prayers sent through email.
Adam and his partner, Matt, a Congregational Minister, are currently living in Storrs, CT, but are looking for something a little closer to East Haddam, and are perhaps interested in becoming homeowners at this point in time.
Adam’s first Sunday with us will be September 23rd. Please introduce yourselves to him and we know you will make him feel welcome and at home here at St. Stephen’s. God has sent him to us. Thanks be to God!
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
(Romans 8:28)
