Bishop Anne Jolly and the Reverend Canon Jessie Dodson have been very hard at work behind the scenes helping to address our need for an Interim Rector. After much hard work we have a wonderful, creative solution, responsive to our needs and reflective of the current market environment for Interim Rectors. It consists of two phases:
In the first phase, the Right Reverend Jeffrey Lee (retired, Chicago) has been appointed as our Interim Rector and Bishop-in-Residence. Bishop Jeff will be with us four days a week until January, with full authority as Interim Rector. He brings a wealth of experience to us, as well as dignity, gravitas, and seniority. Plus, he was Bishop Anne’s bishop when she served in the Diocese of Chicago.
Jeff will join us on Sunday, September 15.
In the second phase, beginning early in the new year, we will appoint an equally impressive priest as full-time Interim Rector. This candidate is currently serving another parish in the late stages of its search. While we cannot identify this candidate at this time due to their responsibilities in their current interim position, they are committed to accepting a call to St Paul’s. We expect to work out a transition date and be able to identify this candidate in the next few weeks.
Please help us welcome Bishop Jeff this Sunday, when he will preach at all three services, join the Adult Forum, and share in the festivities of the Parish Picnic!
Sincerely,
Sam Hartwell
Senior Warden
Susan Quill
Junior Warden
About Bishop Jeff:
Jeffrey D. Lee served as the twelfth bishop of the Diocese of Chicago. He was elected in 2007 and ordained on February 2, 2008. After twelve years as Bishop of Chicago, he served the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee as Bishop Provisional from 2021 to 2023 and helped lead the reunion of the Diocese of Wisconsin.
During his time in Chicago, Bishop Lee led a cultural shift that focused the diocese’s resources on fostering cultural vitality; oversaw the reunification of the dioceses of Quincy and Chicago; helped diocesan leaders begin to address the legacy of slavery; oversaw significant growth and building in Latino congregations; and led a series of major fundraising campaigns.
Bishop Lee is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Nashotah House Seminary and served as a curate, canon to the ordinary and church planter in the Dioceses of Northern Indiana and Indianapolis. He served as rector of churches in Wisconsin and Washington State before being elected bishop. He is the author of several books and articles, has served on the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, and currently teaches pastoral liturgy at the Episcopal Divinity School and at Union Theological Seminary.
Jeff and his wife, Lisa Rogers Lee, have two adult children, Katherine and Jonathan. They are the doting grandparents of a nearly three-year-old grandson.