American Church Gets Australian Rector

American Church Gets Australian Rector

In a festive celebration punctuated by hymns, the Reverend Roger Featherston was instituted on Sunday afternoon as the new rector of St. James Church. The ceremony was officiated by the Right Reverend Pierre Whalon, Bishop-in-Charge of the Convocation of American Episcopal Churches in Europe; and dignified by the

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Thu 26 May 2005 12:00 AM

In a festive celebration punctuated by hymns, the Reverend Roger Featherston was instituted on Sunday afternoon as the new rector of St. James Church. The ceremony was officiated by the Right Reverend Pierre Whalon, Bishop-in-Charge of the Convocation of American Episcopal Churches in Europe; and dignified by the presence of US Consul General William McIlhenny, the Reverend Lawrence McLean, and other representatives from a broad spectrum of ecumenical partners in Florence.

 

During his homily, Bp. Whalon admonished the new rector to “care alike for young and old, strong and weak, rich and poor,” and to strengthen and nourish the community by word and example. The congregation, in turn, was asked to support Fr. Featherston and his wife, Finola, in their marriage and respective ministries. The ceremony proceeded with the presentation of symbolic gifts ranging from the sublime to the frivolous; and culminated with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist and some touching personal reflections from the newly-instituted rector.

 

Fr. Featherston was selected from a pool of over 150 candidates over the course of a nine-month search process. As rector, he is charged with the spiritual and administrative supervision of the parish and its ministries. Though commonly known as ‘la chiesa Americana,’ St. James is actually an international, multiethnic and multidenominational community. (In fact, the Featherstons hail from Melbourne, Australia!) In addition to daily and Sunday worship in English, the parish offers university student, youth and children’s programs, child care, lending library, weekly Food Bank for the needy and logistical support for travelers. The parish also hosts a monthly Thrift Shop and various choirs, as well as independent groups including AA and the Children’s Lending Library.

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