Welcome
Transition continues to be the theme for the month of August at St. Paul’s. This time, fortunately, I’m sharing with you only the good news that someone new will soon be arriving. With timing it seems only God can work out, our need for clergy and a skilled priest’s availability coincided at the same moment. I’m pleased to announce the Rev. Beth Scriven will join the staff in September.
Before introducing Beth, let me briefly share our plan for moving forward. After conversation with the wardens and during the vestry meeting this week, we have decided for now not to fill both of the open clergy positions. This could change, of course (I’m learning anew these days that what I think will happen is not necessarily what will happen!). But as St. Paul’s continues through this period of reimagining our post-pandemic mission and vision, it seems wise to make “for now” decisions and not “forever” decisions. (Nothing is forever, of course, but I’m sure you know what I mean.)
Beth will join the staff in an intentional two-year position to walk with us through this period of discernment. She will share fully in the pastoral, liturgical and sacramental ministries of the clergy while focusing primarily on adult formation and outreach/justice ministries. Her role will not be to do this work on our behalf but to invite and equip members of the parish to grow in their faith and to share Jesus’ love in the world. We will benefit not only from Beth’s experience in interim ministry but also from the joy and energy she brings to her vocation.
The Rev. Beth Scriven has spent her entire adult life ministering in congregations, camps and campus ministries around the Midwest. Since graduating from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in 2007, she has served as an interim rector in Ypsilanti, MI; a vicar in Brownsburg, IN; a college chaplain in St. Louis, MO; and an associate rector in Ann Arbor, MI. In each setting, the heart of her ministry has been to accompany individuals and groups through discerning who God is inviting them to be as disciples of Jesus called to love and serve a hurting world.
As an Ohio native, Beth comes by her fondness for the Great Lakes/Midwest region honestly. (She did try out New England and Germany during her four years at Smith College but landed right back here afterward.) She grew up deeply engaged in church, Girl Scout camp, public education and the Cleveland tradition of loyalty to local teams no matter the heartbreak. In her life outside church, she loves cooking for people; listening to the Indigo Girls; reading Madeleine L'Engle and N.K. Jemisin stories; repeatedly watching Heartstopper, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The West Wing; cuddling her cat SamSaki; and laughing at anything and everything.
Beth’s first Sunday will be September 10. In the meantime, if you have any questions for me, please be in touch.
