Dear Members of the Grace Church Family,
I am writing with joyous news for Grace Church. The Vestry of our parish has unanimously affirmed the recommendation of the Discernment Committee to call The Rev. Anne Turner to be the 12th Rector of Grace. This appointment has been approved by Bishop Susan Goff, and we are now ready to share this wonderful news with all of you.
As you will read below, Anne is no stranger to Grace having served on our staff as an Assistant to the Rector beginning in 2003. She will start her new position with us on January 19, 2021. Please join me in thanking the members of the Discernment Committee, the Vestry, and all who have worked to bring the search process to such a happy conclusion.
Anne
Anne Caputo
Senior Warden
A Message from the Rev. Anne Turner
To the People of Grace Church,
I am filled with joy as I write, and I am grateful to God to be called as your next rector. I see the Holy Spirit at work in this parish. I have great appreciation for the depth of community you have built, for the wonder and beauty that you celebrate in worship, and for the witness of justice and compassion you make to the world. I am looking forward to joining you in these ministries.
I am a lifelong Episcopalian who grew up in the Diocese of Virginia. I was ordained as a priest in 2003. Since that time, I have served parishes in Massachusetts and Virginia, as well as working at Virginia Seminary. Preaching, writing, and liturgy are my favorite things to do—but like most parish priests, I am a generalist. I love talking with parishioners in the kitchen while stirring soup, hanging out with the youth group, teaching about the Old Testament, or getting to know the people who come to church in need.
I live in Arlington with my husband Steve, my daughters Lucy (15) and Molly (11), our dog Ridley, and our rabbit, Casey. The pandemic has kept me from going to the theater but not from doing the other things I love—running, backpacking, skiing, baking pies, and making art.
I am blessed to have served as a priest at Grace once before, from 2003-2007. That was a deeply formative period in my life, and I have asked myself many times about the question of going “back.” But what I am really excited about is the chance to go forward with you. I see so much important work to be done—strengthening of parish life in and after this pandemic, as well as care for the surrounding Arlandria neighborhood—and I want to share that work with you. This community has so much power to witness to God’s grace—to the inclusive, compassionate, and liberating God that seeks out every last corner of creation.
I can’t wait to get started. See you in January—
Yours in Christ,
Anne+