Sarah and Eric with
their children,
Gibson and Elizabeth
We are proud to announce that the Rev. Sarah D. Odderstol has answered our call to become our new Rector. Sarah's enthusiastic and unanimous nomination by the Search Committee was unanimously approved on the first vote by the Vestry. In becoming our Rector, effective approximately July 15, Sarah is the first woman to hold this position at St. Mary's.
Sarah comes to St. Mary's from St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church in Hampton, Virginia, where she has been the Transitional Rector since August 2007. A self-described "transient priest," Sarah has had postings in several different parishes, from California to the Gulf Coast, as she relocated with her husband, Eric, who is coming to the very end of a long and distinguished career as a Naval Officer. Her life as a layperson and as a minister has taken her from Japan (where she was Lay Representative of the Bishop of the Armed Forces) to Washington, D.C., California, Mississippi, and Virginia.
Now, Sarah, who with her family has been looking for a more permanent home, has accepted our invitation to come to St. Mary's. Her husband will be retiring from the Navy after 26 years, having achieved the impressive rank of Captain. Their children, Gibson and Elizabeth, will begin attending Lincoln Middle School and Maine South, respectively, in the fall.
Among many well-qualified candidates, Sarah stands out with an impressive background, having served a variety of congregations. In presenting her nomination to the Vestry, each member of the Search Committee spoke of her qualities and abilities: an eloquent and inspired homilist, a gifted vocalist, and an intelligent and discerning mind for exploring and explaining theology—plus her warmth, compassion, friendliness, genuineness, and humor!
Sarah grew up in rural Minnesota where her father was a family practice physician and her mother was a nurse/midwife. Her early church background was mostly Methodist and Presbyterian for "good music and good preaching" (her parents' criteria for church!). In college, she was a paid singer at various churches, which also furthered her ecumenical experience. After Sarah met Eric, who was raised Roman Catholic, the two found in the Episcopal Church a place where their worship traditions were wedded together in beautiful liturgy.
It was during her time as a lay leader at Christ and St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Norfolk, Va. (1996-2000), working in Pastoral Care, Adult Education, and as a member of the Lay Healing Team—that Sarah first experienced her calling. She entered Virginia Theological Seminary in 2000 and was assigned as a seminarian at The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Bethesda, Maryland.
Sarah's life and ministry have presented her with many challenges and opportunities to grow spiritually. Her husband was stationed at the Pentagon on 9/11. She and her family moved to the Gulf Coast 10 days before Hurricane Katrina. It was during her time at St. Peter's-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Gulfport, Mississippi, that Sarah says she truly grew into her priesthood—developing a deep reverence for the strength of the human spirit and the power of God to heal.
Sarah brings numerous gifts and experiences to St. Mary's, from a love of preaching (she says it's become her favorite facet of ministry) to a deep commitment to excellent spiritual formation for all ages. She is passionate about our Episcopal tradition and Anglican heritage, while displaying creativity and versatility in worship and ministry. (She held a "Surfboard Mass" while in California, and in Mississippi created a "Prayer Guild" to involve homebound parishioners and those displaced by Katrina in the ongoing life of the parish to pray for others and to view themselves as a valued part of the community.)
As Sarah reflects on her ministry, "Knowing that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God found in Jesus Christ, we are graced with a joy that sustains us even when we are not happy. I am convinced that this joy is only found worshipping God in community. I infuse all that I do with this joy – I invite, encourage, cajole, inspire, pester, and convince others to join me in the dance."
St. Mary's welcomes the Rev. Sarah D. Odderstol, her husband, Eric, and their children, Gibson and Elizabeth, to dance with us!
