Hear the Announcement

December 2, 2007   

--A Little Background on Our New Interim Rector--

The Rev. LaRae J. Rutenbar graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1980. LaRae has served The Episcopal Church in various capacities: Hospital Chaplain at Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, OH, Assistant to the Rector, St. Paul’s, Macon GA and for12 years she served as a transitional specialist for the dioceses of Western Michigan and Michigan. She recently moved to Cordova, TN with her husband, Mark, who was called to be the rector of The Church of the Holy Communion in Memphis. Currently, she is finishing her book on the transitional process of parishes as they search for a new rector, is a partner in a consulting business for parishes and finds the joys and challenges of assisting parishes and individuals through periods of transition a meaningful venture.

The first question that is, generally, asked of her is what members should call a woman priest. This is an easy question to answer as it depends upon the tradition of the congregation. If male priests have been called ‘father’ in the parish then the title of parity would be called ‘mother.’ The title of ‘father’ comes from the monastic tradition in which the head of the monastic community was referred to as father. The convent often calls the head of their monastic house ‘mother’ or ‘rev. mother.’ If the tradition has been to call the male priest by Mr., then the title of Mrs. or Ms. is the appropriate one. If the priest is referred to by their first name such as Shannon or Michael then LaRae is perfectly acceptable. She prefers not to be called Rev. or Pastor. As with the case of male priests the acceptable title can be different from person to person even within the same congregation!

LaRae and Mark have two children. Michael (24) is a program director at a YMCA outdoor education facility in Jackson, Michigan and Libby (22) who graduated from Albion College (Michigan) and works in a pediatric dental office in Barlett, TN. They also have a beloved cat 13 year old cat, C.J. (alternately referred to as Bo Bo Head and Kitty). LaRae is an avid golfer, gardener and enjoys music of all kinds from classical to jazz.

 

LaRae will begin her ministry at All Saints’ on Tuesday, December 11. Her first Sunday with us will be December 16 where she will preach at both services that day. You will have a chance to meet her in between the services at Coffee Alley in the Parish Hall. All Saints’ welcomes LaRae and looks forward to her leadership and our mutual ministry in the coming year!