At Savior, we are blessed with a number of clergy, and since several have joined our clergy team recently, I wanted to make sure you met them.
On a Saturday evening, you’ll generally see me (Fr. Kevin), Mtr. Karen, and Deacon Sandy at the Holy Table. Karen works for Savior part-time, leading and coaching our staff; she also works part-time in her own leadership-coaching practice, Strengthen Your Leadership. Sandy works at Outreach Community Ministries as a social worker and volunteers much time to serve Savior—for example, leading our acolytes and altar guild, and taking Eucharist to shut-ins. Did you know she bakes our Communion bread each week?
Fr. Bill and Mtr. Linda, our founders, may think they were retiring, but they often serve as prayer and Communion ministers; they also preach and celebrate as needed. I am grateful I can sometimes ask Bill and Linda for their wisdom and knowledge of the parish. Of course, Linda leads our annual Blessing of the Animals.
Fr. Aaron Harrison (and spouse Whitney) came to Savior this year. During the day, Aaron teaches Bible and logic to middle-school and high-school students. Fr. Aaron and Deacon Sandy will lead a session explaining our liturgical worship early next year.
Deacon Brad Lindsay (spouse Sarah, now on staff, and children Isabel, Claire, and Vivian) came to Savior in 2017, when the family moved to Wheaton. You’ll see Brad serving as a prayer and Communion minister and leading our new Welcome ministry.
Deacon Josh Steele (and wife Rachel, and now baby Eva) came to Savior about the same time as Brad, to begin work on a doctorate in theology at Wheaton. Josh launched the current Savior website and Breeze, helps lead and teach our youth on Wednesday evening, and assists in coordinating pastoral care. He and Rachel also lead music team sometimes.
Our other resident theologian, Deacon Emily McGowin, came to Wheaton this summer to teach theology. Her husband, Fr. Ron McGowin, serves two parishes within ACNA as interim priest—including our sister parish, Christ Redeemer in Milwaukee. Ron and Emily and their children, William, Emmelia, and Althea, were welcomed to Savior at our Anniversary on Saturday.
All of these clergy pray for Savior and help as needed. I thank God for each one.
Spotlight on Brad Lindsay
Over the next several months, we're highlighting ministry leaders at Savior. These leaders have answered some questions to help us get to know them and their ministries better.
Deacon Brad Lindsay has attended Savior for a little over a year, and in that time he has served in a variety of ways. This fall, he launched the new Welcome Team, a ministry that combines ushers with a team of people who help visitors feel welcome and comfortable at Savior.
Where do you live now and where are you from?
I live in Wheaton with one spouse, two dogs, and three daughters. I grew up mostly in Minnesota, but have lived most of my adult life in the South (North Carolina and Tennessee).
What do you do when you’re not at church?
I’m a computer programmer by trade and by hobby. I enjoy reading books and playing games of the board, card, video, and role-playing variety.
Also, I like to read N.T. Wright’s massive scholarly tomes. They may take me a few years to finish, but I especially enjoy the occasional snarky footnote.
How does the ministry you lead serve the life of our congregation?
The Welcome Team exists to help Church of the Savior cultivate an environment where everyone feels welcomed. We do this through greeting people as they come to the service, guiding them during the service, and assisting them in becoming more involved with the church body.
How can people get involved in the ministry you lead?
They can contact me at my email address: brad.lindsay@gmail.com
Spotlight on Josh Steele
Over the next several months, we're highlighting ministry leaders at Savior. These leaders have answered some questions to help us get to know them and their ministries better.
Deacon Josh Steele, along with his wife Rachel and brand-new daughter Eva, has been attending Church of the Savior for a little more than a year. Josh serves in multiple roles at Savior, including volunteering with youth and on the worship team. He also manages Savior's website and coordinates the Pastoral Care ministry.
Where do you live, and where are you from?
I live in Carol Stream, IL with my wife Rachel and daughter Eva. I'm originally from Toledo, OH.
What do you do when you’re not at church?
I'm a Ph.D. student in theology at Wheaton College and the Managing Editor at AnglicanPastor.com.
My hobbies include holding Eva, watching soccer, and reading about productivity and leadership.
What's something unusual about you?
In high school, I ate mostly oatmeal (at least twice a day) for an entire year.
How does the ministry you lead serve the life of our congregation?
I hope that the website, the Breeze online directory, and my coordination of pastoral care all help to enlarge and enrich the sense of community at Savior.
How can people get involved in the ministry you lead?
For the website, we could use another person or two to join JoAnn McNeely in uploading old sermons to the Sermon Archive. For the Breeze online directory, we could use a few people who are willing to learn and train others on the basics of volunteer scheduling using Breeze.
With pastoral care, we could use a few more people who are willing to spend time with and encourage others. If you're interested in any of these things, please contact me—in person, by phone, or by email.