Letter from the Rector

The Rev. Cristi Chapman

October 2, 2024

Friends,

Sometimes, the Holy Spirit catches us by surprise, and this is one of those times for you and me. Bishop LaBelle has extended an invitation to me to serve as the Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of Olympia. After much prayerful discernment, I have accepted the call to serve as his chief advisor and chief of staff. My last Sunday at Saint David’s will be November 3, the Feast of All Saints.

This news may feel sudden and come as a surprise for many of you. It certainly was to me when Bishop Phil asked me to consider this. Leaving Saint David’s so early in our shared mutual ministry together is not something I have been considering. It feels like we are just beginning to settle in and embrace the call of the Holy Spirit together. At the same time, I marvel at everything that has already happened over two remarkably full and faith filled years.

It is one of my great privileges to bear witness to what you have accomplished as part of the Body of Christ on San Juan Island. That includes completing a major capital campaign and renovation; providing affordable housing to a working family living on the island; embracing new opportunities for spiritual growth and worship while also figuring out how to honor age old traditions; learning how to welcome and care for one another as the congregation continues to grow; making significant progress toward financial sustainability; and continuing to shore up other key aspects of congregational life. This is how you make Jesus visible on San Juan Island right now. The Holy Spirit also knows there is so much more that is possible.

In the coming months, you and the Vestry will continue to discern what the Holy Spirit is calling Saint David’s to do next. Embrace that sacred practice, and trust what you discover because of it. If the last two years reveal anything, it is that you yearn for and are willing to follow the Spirit’s promptings with openness and grace.

Over the next month, there will be many opportunities to reflect on our shared ministry together. I also am available to meet with you individually and welcome all of those conversations. Finally, on the Feast of All Saints’, not only will we welcome Bishop Phil to Saint David’s, we will also celebrate what has been and will be for this beloved community of Christ.

You will always hold a special place in my heart. Know my deep gratitude for you and my continuing prayers for you as this next season of ministry unfolds for the people of Saint David’s and the Diocese of Olympia.

Faithfully in Christ,

Cristi+