Transition - Letters from Peyton and the Wardens

April 23, 2025

Dear Friends in Christ,

Easter Greetings in the name of our risen Lord. My heart is full, and it is with profound sadness that I write to you all today to share that June 1st will be my last Sunday at St. Andrew’s.

I know that this news will come as a shock to many of you. When a congregation calls a priest-in-charge, the hope is that she will remain as rector for a longer tenure. This was certainly my hope as well. In our case, there were a number of factors surrounding my discernment, and this decision was not an easy one.

Some of you will recall that I received a curacy grant from Trinity Church, Wall Street, which funded half of my salary and benefits for my first two years of service at St. Andrew’s; that grant, which has made it possible for me to join you in a full-time capacity, concludes this summer. Even as the Vestry works tirelessly to seek alternative sources of funding, I have been discerning what support I need in these early chapters of ministry while I continue to grow into the priesthood. In addition, as many of you know, my partner Aidan will be ordained this June, which prompted us to enter a nationwide search for two clergy positions in one city. Opening those doors has felt scary and risky, and we have had to trust in God’s grace and guidance along the way.

About a month ago, Aidan and I both received calls from parishes in the Diocese of New York. After a few weeks of discernment and deep prayer, we have accepted those calls. On July 1, I will join the clergy team at the Church of the Heavenly Rest in Manhattan, where I will serve as Associate Rector under the Rev. Kate Malin, a priest I admire greatly. Aidan will join the clergy team at the nearby Church of St. Luke in the Fields, where he will serve as Associate Priest in a progressive Anglo-Catholic context.

While it has been a blessing to receive two calls in the same city, and I am looking forward to learning from a woman in church leadership, even so, this decision has been incredibly difficult. Aidan and I reflected for many long hours, cried many ugly tears, and conferred with many trusted mentors to discern where God was calling our family. As one of our mentors shared with us, “Just because you feel pulled to go does not mean you feel pushed to leave.” This couldn’t feel truer for us. Aidan and I are incredibly grateful for the ways you have enriched our lives, and we are experiencing intense grief as we prepare to say goodbye. I have never been loved by a community like St. Andrew’s. I have never participated in worship and ministry so robust, intimate, and joyful. You all have shaped my priesthood in remarkable ways, and your abundant care and generosity will stay with me for the rest of my life. In the midst of my grief, I cherish the fact that you will always be my first parish, and I will treasure our connection for years to come.

I have said this many times over, and I will continue to say it: The Holy Spirit is alive and well in our home on the hill. While my leaving will be difficult, I am confident that it will not stop the work of God among us — She is more powerful than that! At the same time, it is good to grieve, and it is okay to feel afraid of what comes next. My prayer is that, in the midst of our feelings and fears, we will keep coming together to worship, to love, and to serve the Lord; and in so doing, I trust we will encounter that mysterious peace of God which passes all understanding.

Over the next six weeks, I will continue to serve as your priest and pastor. During this time, I hope that we can connect to share tears of gratitude and grief, and to celebrate moments of great joy. Please look out for an opportunity in the newsletter to sign up for “Tea with the PIC” throughout the month of May; and, as always, don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly. Nothing would give me greater joy than to continue to spend time with you as we enter into this transition.

After church this Sunday, our Vestry will meet with the Rev. Will Dickinson, our Diocesan Transition Minister, in order to lay the groundwork for next steps. The fact that these next steps will commence before I depart is a sign that God is already at work in what’s to come. I invite your prayers for our parish leaders as they dedicate themselves to the transition process, and for Aidan and me as we prepare to move to New York City — that “good church” will meet us there, even as it continues here. Please know that we will be holding you in our prayers as well, now and always.

Our wonderful Senior Warden Jim Evans said it best: The grief of saying goodbye is a reflection of the deep love we share with one another. St. Andrew’s, I love you all very much and I always will. Thank you so much for loving me.

Yours in Christ,


The Rev. Peyton Williams+
Priest-in-Charge

April 23, 2025

Friends,

It is with mixed emotions that we write to you about the coming departure of our beloved priest, Peyton. After two years of dedicated ministry at St. Andrew’s, Peyton has been called to serve in a new capacity at a parish in New York City.

Peyton has been a source of spiritual guidance, compassion, and passionate stewardship throughout her time with us. Whether through her sermons, pastoral care, or community outreach, she has touched the lives of so many in our parish, and we are deeply grateful for her faithful and loving service. She leaves our parish in a much stronger position than when she found it thanks to her many leadership gifts.

Peyton’s final Sunday with us will be June 1. We will celebrate her ministry at a special liturgy and farewell reception that day. We invite you to come and express your gratitude and offer prayers as she and Aidan prepare for the next chapter of their journey.

Although we are sad to see Peyton go, we trust in God’s plan and know that she will continue to be a blessing in her new role, just as she has been here at St. Andrew’s. Please keep Peyton in your prayers, and may we continue to support one another in love and faith as we acknowledge the challenges of this transition and prepare to welcome new pastoral leadership in the weeks and months ahead. Guided by the Holy Spirit, your wardens and vestry remain deeply committed to our shared mission. We intend to move forward with hope, confidence, and unity as we work to build on the momentum and successes of the past two years.

In Christ,

Jim Evans                         Chris Catanzaro
Senior Warden                 Junior Warden