Dear St. Stephen’s family,

I write to you today to share that after much prayer and discernment I have accepted a call to serve as the Rector of St. Paul’s by the Sea, Jacksonville Beach in the Diocese of Florida.  I and the Rev. Kristin Krantz, Canon for Transitions in the Diocese of Maryland, met with the wardens and vestry on Sunday to inform them of this decision.  My final Sunday at St. Stephen’s will be the Third Sunday of Advent, December 15.

This decision was not an easy one, and there are so many emotions that I am experiencing at this moment.  There is the excitement of embarking on a new chapter in ministry and the opportunity that this move provides to be closer to our family.  But there is also the sadness I feel leaving you after all that we have shared over the past eight years of ministry together.

St. Stephen’s has shaped me into the priest and pastor I am today.  When I first came, I was a nervous first-time rector who had never led a vestry meeting.  I have been with you all through baptisms and weddings, home visits; we weathered a pandemic together; we have celebrated births and mourned together during funerals. You have taught me what it means to be loved by a community of faith and how to truly love a parish family.

St. Stephen’s means so much to me, Abby, and our children.  When we first came, William wasn’t quite a year old, and Hannah had not yet been born.  Both of them were baptized here and welcomed by you into the wider family of God. St. Stephen’s has been our home, you have loved and cared for us, and I have truly loved being your rector.

As you enter this transition, know that you have a remarkably talented, committed, and faithful vestry who will be working closely with Canon Kristin and the Diocese of Maryland to plan the next steps for St. Stephen’s and the process for clergy transition.  God is with you and has given you everything you need to continue being the church.  Leadership may change, but the Church remains.

Over the next few weeks, the wardens, vestry, and I will begin to plan for my leave-taking and how to share a good goodbye.  I hope these next six weeks will give us time to celebrate not only our years together, but also what God still has in store for St. Stephen’s.

Thank you for your love and support, and for all you have done and continue to do for me and my family.  It has truly been a blessing and honor to serve God here and be your priest.

God’s blessings,

Victor+