Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Luke’s:
The Vestry of St. Luke’s is pleased to announce that, on June 14, it unanimously elected the Reverend Dr. David R. MacDonald as the twelfth Rector of St. Luke’s. The election of Father MacDonald was made in consultation with the Rector Search Committee , chaired by John Nagy, and has been approved by Bishop Provenzano. The date for Father MacDonald’s formal installation ceremony will be announced later.
Father MacDonald (who prefers to be called Father David—or, better still, just David) comes to us from the historic Christ Church, Old Durham Parish in Nanjemoy, MD, where he has been Rector since 2004. Ordained in 1988, he has served as priest in some seven different parishes in various parts of the United States and a parish in the Virgin Islands, and he has also served as a U. S. Army Chaplain. In addition to a divinity degree, Father David holds degrees in history, the study of religions, and philosophy. He is the author of numerous articles and two books: E. C. Crosse and the Devonshire Epitaph, the story of a British Army chaplain, and Transit of the Anglican Mind to the Maryland Colony. A third book is currently in progress.
Father David has had extensive experience in every aspect of the Episcopal Church—including liturgy, music, Christian education (for all ages), pastoral care, fund-raising, and parish administration. The leadership he provided for the dramatic growth of his parish in Maryland is most impressive. Father David’s delightful wife Betty, who hails from Arkansas and Louisiana, is a physical education teacher who specializes in individuals with disabilities. The MacDonalds have five adult children.
The MacDonald’s will be relocating to Sea Cliff in late July. Father David’s first sermon and Eucharist at St. Luke’s will be on August 7 at 9 a.m. Following the service, there will be a welcoming reception. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to David and Betty.
For the past two-and-a-half years, we have been most blessed to have had a wonderfully dedicated and caring Interim, Father Charles Colwell, whose last regular service at St. Luke’s will be on Sunday, July 31 at 9 p.m. Following this service there will be a farewell reception for Charlie and his wife Judy. We wish them the very best and hope that we will stay in close touch with them.
Sincerely,