St. Andrew's calls the rev. Derrick fetz to be its next rector

January 24, 2011
I am delighted to announce that the Rev. R. Derrick Fetz has been called to be the next Rector of St. Andrew's Church. Following a national search, Fr. Derrick was the unanimous and enthusiastic choice of Search Committee; the Vestry voted to extend the call at its January meeting. He is currently the Vicar of St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church in Maineville, Ohio, and will begin his ministry at St. Andrew's on April 1.

Fr. Derrick brings gifts and experience in congregational development, Christian formation, church growth and lay ministry development. In presenting him to the Vestry, the Search Committee also noted Fr. Derrick's strengths in pastoral care, liturgy and collaborative leadership. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, and served in parishes in Ohio and Florida following his ordination in 2006.

Fr. Derrick and his wife Jamie will move to Longmeadow in March with their dog, Vivi. They are looking forward to becoming a part of the St. Andrew's community, and to putting down roots in Western Massachusetts. Because he's a native of southwestern Ohio, he has an allegiance to the Cincinnati Reds, but says that he can root for the Red Sox since both teams have ''Red'' in their names.

I know I speak for the rest of the Executive Committee and the Vestry when I express deep gratitude to the Search Committee and their months of hard work. It's been a joy and a privilege to watch the mutual discernment of God's will made manifest through their efforts and deliberations.

This is an exciting time for St. Andrew's - I hope you join me in looking forward to the unfolding of our next chapter in ministry with our next Rector, Fr. Derrick Fetz!

Faithfully in Christ,
Wende Wheeler
Senior Warden

Thank you to our Profile and Search Committees:
The parish is grateful for the faithful service of the Profile and Search Committees whose prayer, work and discernment has brought us to this call:

Profile Committee
Steve Burrall and Mia Nolan -- Co-Chairs
Jerry Houle -- Creative Director
Crystal Diamond, Lorie Dixon, Donna Liebman, Jeanne Mosebach, Dan O'Malley, LauraLisa Oliver, Melissa Scanlon, Denise Thomas and Mike Young
Search Committee
Bill Fisher and Janet Walsh Young -- Co-Chairs
Charles Baldwin, Ed Butrick, Scott Frost, Carla Gunn, Ruth Reynolds, Kathy Riess, and Mary Rogeness 

St. Andrew's Parish Profile  

We invite you to take a moment to get to know the St. Andrew's parish community through our profile.  For more information, interested candidates may contact our Search Committee chairs via confidential email: Search@St-Andrews-Longmeadow.org .  

St. Andrew's Profile: PDF version                                     St. Andrew's Profile: PowerPoint slideshow

The parish is grateful to our faithful, dedicated and talented Profile Committee, to the interviewers who listened to the stories of our community, and to all who shared their thoughts, insights and hopes for St. Andrew's -- Thank You!