The Episcopal churches of Shenandoah County— Emmanuel in Woodstock and St. Andrew’s in Mount Jackson—are very pleased to announce that the Rev. Kathleen Murray has accepted a call to be our next rector. She started her ministry on November 1. She comes to us from New Jersey where she has been Priest-in-Charge at St. Mark’s in Keansburg, NJ. She helped them recover from devastation by Hurricane Sandy, increased overall attendance over the last three years, and oversaw their outreach food ministry that serves 4,000 meals a month and a food pantry that serves 250 families a month.
A graduate of General Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree and certificate in spiritual direction, as well as a Master’s of Public Administration from Columbia University, Mother Kathy has been an ordained priest since 2013. She brings a strong background in education, government, finance, and public administration, as well as experience as a senior warden and vestry member. This experience, combined with her warmth, energy, and kindness, greatly impressed the Search Committee. After a long, thorough process of vetting several candidates, The Committee believed that Mother Kathy was uniquely and abundantly qualified to lead their churches, expand the parish’s ministries in Shenandoah County, and provide pastoral care within the our churches. She and her spouse, Marty Dooley, were welcomed at a joint service at St. Andrew’s for All Saints Day on November 5. Marty is an ordained Episcopal deacon.
The Rev. Michael Cadaret, our interim rector for the last year and a half, has accepted a call as Rector of Olivet Episcopal Church in Alexandria. A service to celebrate and express our gratitude for his ministry took place on his last Sunday, September 10.
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