Letter of Introduction
Dear Christ Church Anglican,
It is a tremendous honor to be called to serve as your next rector! My family and I are thrilled that the Lord has led us to this wonderful church community. Together with the psalmist, we say, “Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies” (Psalm 36.5). We look forward to the many years we will have together as a church family as we grow in our faith, share the good news of Jesus, and worship Him in spirit and truth.
We eagerly look forward to joining you all sometime in January. In the meantime, I want to take this opportunity to share a bit about our family and myself. My wife, Jamie, and I have been married for 15 years. Jamie attended Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia, where she studied Modern Dance. Jamie has since retired from professional dance. She has also worked as a dance teacher and an events coordinator for St. Peter’s Cathedral. For the last three years, she has been a stay-at-home mom and has had the exceptionally challenging job of keeping our home in good order.
We have three outstanding children: Lydia (13), Jude (10), and Rachel (8). Lydia is our ballerina. She has danced at Atlanta Ballet and was recently promoted to pointe. Lydia is not a froufrou girl, however. She and Jude take Shidokan: a mixture of karate, kickboxing, and judo. Jude is our singer and has enjoyed singing for the Georgia Boy Choir for the past three years. Rachel is the family gymnast and loves all things furry.
Before entering the priesthood, I enjoyed a career as a commercial carpenter. In my second year of apprenticeship, however, I felt God’s calling into pastoral ministry. While working a full-time job as a carpenter, I began my undergrad in Christian Studies at Hobe Sound Bible College. After completing my undergrad, I attended seminary at Trinity School for Ministry, where I earned a Master of Divinity. This January, I will graduate from Gordon-Conwell with a Master of Theology. Before being called to Christ Church, I served as the Canon for Family Ministries at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Tallahassee and as The Associate Rector at Christ Church of Atlanta. In my free time, I like to run, hang out in the garden with a good book, and go to the park with our kids and dogs.
As we enter the Advent season, I am reminded that Advent is a season of eager anticipation. This Advent, it is all the more true. We are eager to be with you all. Until we arrive, however, please know, I pray daily for you all. When we visited at the end of October, Jamie and I were amazed at what God has done and is currently doing at Christ Church. We pray the Holy Spirit continues to pour Himself out on you. We are praying that through you, the gospel is proclaimed and lives transformed.
I believe God is starting a new chapter in the life of Christ Church. It is a privilege to be part of this new chapter. Would you please join me in praying for God’s guidance and wisdom on how we can best serve Him and His kingdom? Would you also remember our family in your prayers as we transition nearly 1,900 miles? We are diligently looking for housing and schools for our children.
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” – Psalm 37:5-6
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Chase