A Letter from Our Senior Warden: Holy Spirit Calls The Rev. Nathaniel Darville as Rector
Dear Friends at Holy Spirit:
We’re delighted to share the news that the Rev. Nathaniel Darville has accepted our call to become rector of Holy Spirit Episcopal Church.
He is well equipped for this role – a strong educational background, leadership at two previous churches, an evident spiritual life he is ready to share with us, and a nice sense of humor that blossoms as you get to know him.
We have moved quickly at the strong direction of Bishop Marty. Many priest candidates today are fielding multiple offers. The experience in our diocese has been that waiting to compare/contrast a field of candidates has resulted in losing potential priests. Therefore, in line with her guidance, we moved swiftly to call Rev. Darville. Comments from parishioners about his visit were tremendously positive.
We’re thrilled that he felt a strong connection to our parish during his visit and believes Missoula will be a fit for him and his family.
Father Nate brings a groundedness and sincerity to his calling. His clear spirituality and scholarship will be great resources for us. For those of us who were able to spend time with him, it’s also clear he is warm and engaging. We believe he will be a caring, committed and energetic leader for our church.
Nate told me that it felt easy to say yes to our call. Somehow, things have lined up very well for Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God.
Nate and his wife Rheagan have two boys, Wren, who is 12, and Jule, who is 8. Rheagan is an environmental attorney and non-profit administrator who has spent time working in the West. Nate and Rheagan are drawn to the Missoula community, all that we offer here in terms of our beautiful setting, and the quality of our schools. They feel this will be a good place to raise their children and hope to put down roots to see them through high school and into college.
Father Nate has been in ordained ministry for seven years. He currently is rector of St. Peter’s Church in Essex Fells, New Jersey, and previously was rector of Grace Church in Pike Road, Alabama.
He holds an M. Div from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Master of Sacred Theology degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He has completed a Concentration in Anglican Studies certificate at the School of Theology at The University of the South in Sewanee, a certificate in The Leaders Way Ministry Fellowship at the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University, and a certificate in Church Management at Villanova University’s School of Business.
Father Nate’s ministry with us will begin August 3. Ahead of that, he and his family will travel to Missoula April 8-13 to get to know our city, look at property, and spend some time with us.
We are all very grateful to the Search Committee for their inspired work, led so well by Bill Drummond. I'm so grateful to all of you in our congregation, and to Terri and Gretchen, for creating the kind of church that would attract someone like Nate as we move forward. I am especially happy that both the Vestry and Search Committee had such thorough discussions about this call, leading to our decision as Vestry to invite Father Nate to serve at Holy Spirit. We have had strong and gracious support from our two co-rectors, and great help from Bishop Marty and Scott Jourdonnais.
One thing -- if you have contacts in Essex Fells or northern New Jersey, please keep this under your hat. Sharing our call with his parish will happen a little later, and his bishop and Nate are comfortable with this.
I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have. I am thankful for the Spirit’s help in bringing Father Nate to us.
Sincerely,
Molly Bowler
Senior Warden