St. Peter's Episcopal Church installs fifth rector
By LINDA ANDRADE RODRIGUES, Standard-Times staff writer
DARTMOUTH —The Rev. Paul Rodgers will be installed this weekend as the new rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
Heralding from Sewickley, Pa., just outside of Pittsburgh, the Rev. Rodgers lived close to where his father worked as the Dean of Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, an evangelical Episcopal seminary.
The Rev. Rodgers said that he grew up at St. Stephen's Church under the Rev. John Guest who nurtured him in a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. He attended Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., majoring in biology and history and graduating in 1994.
"I thought I'd become a teacher in a private school," he said. "I had five very promising interviews."
However, when the job offers failed to materialize, he accepted a position in full-time youth ministry at All Saint's Church, Pawleys Island, S.C. He was there for a year of training, then spent three years as the head of student ministries at St. Helena's Church in Beaufort, S.C. It was there that he said that God blessed him with his wife Lauren.
Serving at St. Andrew's Church in Little Rock, Ark. for two years, the Rodgers said they felt a call to minister as a couple to families.
In Little Rock, the Rev. Rodgers said he heard God's call to ordained ministry and went back home to Trinity Seminary. He graduated in May of 2003 and was ordained in June of that year.
The couple spent three years in Simsbury Conn. where Paul served as Pastor for Young Adults and Youth at Trinity Church, Tariffville.
Finally, the Rev. Rodgers said it was time to pastor his own church, and he began a job search in New England. He wanted to minister in the evangelical tradition at a conservative orthodox Episcopal church.
The couple arrived at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in May 2006.
"I fell in love with the people," he said. "This is a family-focused community-oriented church."
While the ancient liturgy proclaimed with evangelical fervor is central at St. Peter's, the words are accessible in PowerPoint format, and the atmosphere is casual.
The Rev. Rodgers said that he strives to make the Gospel message relevant to his parishioners' lives. His favorite quote is from Martin Luther: "The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me."
During the past four months the congregation has made many improvements to the church building and property. The exterior and interior of the church has been painted, and space has been created for a nursery. There is new landscaping, church signs, and playground equipment for the community to use at their leisure. A farmer's market is held at the church every Friday from 1-6 p.m.
God has given us good neighbors and a nice clean campus," the Rev. Rodgers said. "We care about the vicinity and the relationships within the church and outside."
The first service at St. Peter's was held on Oct. 7, 1956. This weekend the vibrant parish celebrates their 50th anniversary, the start of a new church year with Sunday School registration, and the installation of their fifth rector in 50 years.
Church services at St. Peter's are held Sunday mornings at 8 and 9:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome.
Date of Publication: September 16, 2006 on Page B05
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