As we continue to grieve the loss of Father Christopher Roberts, we are looking forward to welcoming Father Theodore ‘Ted’ Rothrock as our new pastor. Father Ted is a kind and caring man, who brings many years of pastoral experience and a genuine love for Jesus Christ and His Church. The Bishop, in consultation with the Clergy Personnel Advisory Committee (which is comprised of both clergy and laity) appointed Father Ted as Missionary Pastor of St. Paul, Marion to begin November 1, 2020. A Missionary Pastor is someone who loves Jesus very deeply and desires to share the saving message of Jesus in his teaching office, sanctifying office, and his office of administration. These are all qualities that Father Ted embodies and is well known throughout the diocese for embodying. Father Ted’s pastoral experience is extensive; he has served in the diocese for over 35 years in many ways—as an associate pastor, as director of the pastoral office of worship and adult formation and as pastor of St. Patrick in Oxford. Most recently, Father Ted served as pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton in Carmel for 22 years where he is known for overseeing tremendous growth in parishioners and in developing the parish campus. As a faith family, we desire a pastor that will be loving, genuine and who fully embraces the messages of the Gospel. Our very own Christian faith teaches us to have a heart of forgiveness and to love one another as Jesus loved us. None of us are without fault or imperfection and Father Ted is no exception; that is why we trust in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ and His salvation. We at St. Paul echo the same sentiments that Father Ted shared earlier this week—we wholeheartedly reject racism and anything that separates us from fully embracing the messages of the Gospel. We are confident that Father Ted will bring love, kindness and wisdom to the families and students of St. Paul. We are blessed to have received a new pastor during our time of tragedy. We ask that everyone remain prayerful, respectful and hopeful during our time of grief and transition.