The Rev. R. Bruce Birdsey accepts call as Interim Rector

7/10/2011

We are pleased to announce that The Rev. Bruce Birdsey, has accepted a call to be our Interim Rector. Rev. Birdsey is known to many at St. Bart's through the adult education program he led earlier this year, "Through Lent, into Easter with Dante." His first day with us will be Monday, August 8 and his first Sunday will be August 14. He invites anyone who would like to come by for a visit to call the church office at 740-2101 and leave a time you would like to come by.

Rev. Birdsey has extensive experience and training in the area of interim ministry and comes to us with the objective of making "good use of the rich opportunities for spiritual and practical growth afforded during transitions between permanent rectors."

Rev. Birdsey served as interim minister for Church of Our Saviour in Montpelier, Christ Church in Luray, Church of the Holy Comforter in Richmond, and for a church in Michigan and one in North Carolina. He served as traditional parish minister for churches in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. Before entering priesthood, Rev. Birdsey was a reporter and editorial page editor for The Macon (GA) Telegraph and News and he was a staff assistant to a congressional representative in Washington.

Rev. Birdsey is married to Brenda Birdsey and they have two grown sons and a toddler granddaughter. The family enjoys travel and sightseeing, especially to cities rich in art. Rev. Birdsey is an avid reader, hiker, and on-again/off-again golfer. He presents adult education programs on religion and literature in local congregations and through the Osher Institute, University of Richmond.

He attended The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, and received a BA from Vanderbilt University, and an MDiv from Candler School of Theology, Emory University.

St. Bart's extends a hearty welcome to Rev. and Mrs. Birdsey and we look forward to his ministry.