Introducing our new rector

April 13, 2023

 

Dear St. B’s Family,

 

With gratitude to God and joyful anticipation for our community, we introduce to you our next rector, Reverend Josh Condon. Father Josh will celebrate his first Sunday at St. Bartholomew’s on June 11th!

 

Josh has been ordained since 2003 and has served parishes in Gainesville, GA, New York City, and Westchester, NY. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia, his Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary, and his Master of Sacred Theology from General Theological Seminary.

 

Josh is married to Rev. Sarah Condon who serves as Chaplain/Missioner at Rice University. They have a 12 year old son, Neil, and a 9 year old daughter, Annie, who will be entering the seventh and fourth grades this fall. Most recently, Josh has served for ten years as the Rector of Holy Spirit Episcopal Church and School in Houston, TX. Josh, Sarah and their children will be moving to Nashville shortly before Memorial Day.

 

Thirteen months ago, our Vestry commissioned and charged the Rector Search Committee to work with our Diocese to seek the wisdom of God and the direction of the Holy Spirit in a thorough search process. We are so grateful for co-chairs Brian Roark and Gretchen Abernathy for leading their team of 12 through extensive research, interviews and communication with Vestry and staff over 11 months. They served St. B’s with the fruits of the Spirit, and we could not be more grateful for their work.

 

In early January, the Vestry formed a transition team to receive candidate finalists from the RSC. The Vestry then quickly began its own process of discernment and preparation for finalist candidate visits, which took place in February and March. Senior Warden Jude Mason, along with RSC leadership, were instrumental during this transition; their consistent guidance, care and service were largely out of sight, but still enormously significant gifts.

 

Finally, we want to thank the staff of our church, who has carried us through this time of transition. In particular, Reverend Serena has served us tirelessly in the role of Interim Rector. She carried the responsibility of two clergy with diligence, grace and fortitude. Because of Reverend Serea’s consistent leadership and the spirit of service with which she carried it out, our community has maintained the very particular charm that makes us “St. B’s.” We are so grateful for her good and faithful work!

 

We have heard it said that there shall be no “Hallelujahs” during the season of Lent, but last month, as the Vestry met to pray and listen to the Spirit’s leading, there was a palpable feeling of Easter joy in the room!

 

The Vestry’s decision to call Father Josh to St. Bartholomew’s was unanimous, and we rejoiced as Father Josh responded to our call with an immediate YES.   

 

We are confident that, in Father Josh’s care, St. B’s will flourish. His warmth, centeredness and wisdom will be a comfort and a guide. With his help, we will continue to walk together in love, thriving as a church uniquely positioned to care for our beloved city of Nashville. The Vestry is immensely grateful to God for the incredible gift He is offering our community with Father Josh, and we pray that we would be a blessing to the Condon family as they begin their new life in Nashville.

 

Dear people of St. B’s,

 

My family and I are very excited to be joining the ministry of this wonderful church! I have been praying for you since I first learned of your search process and have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know your Search Committee and Vestry.  I am grateful that the Holy Spirit is calling us to serve St. B's and can’t wait to get to Nashville and start getting to know you all.

 

In the meantime, please know that I have been praying that the comfort and grace we come to know through the love of Jesus will surround you on all sides as the community continues to grieve what happened at Covenant School.

 

Wishing you all grace and peace,

Josh+

 

Please continue to pray for the Condons as they begin the process of saying goodbye to their home and friends in Houston, and as they make the exciting transition to Nashville.

 

In Celebration for God’s Goodness to us!

 

St. B's Vestry

 

Andrew Kintz, Sr Warden      

Rachel Dyer, Jr Warden

Michelle Andrade                   

Brent Ferrell

Don Paul Gross                      

Beth Heimburger                    

Russ Heldman                         

Erik Larsen

David Logan

Erin Shankel

Kara Smith                               

Ryon Suiter


Section Title

Type the content for this section here. This is just example text to show you what it will look like when you enter text content into this section. Your unique, authentic, and appropriate text will be filled into this section. Once you click into this section, you will see the filler text disappear, and you can begin typing your real content. We’ve simply put in filler text in this area. No need to get caught up in the actual content of this body text, we just typed a bunch of meaningless sentences. If you get anything from this text, please understand that this is just example text to give you a feeling for what your real text might look like.