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Parish Profile 2009

New Baby Demmler

Rector Called

November 9, 2009

Dear St. Matthias' Family,

On behalf of the Vestry and Search Committee, it is my pleasure to announce the call of a new rector to St. Matthias'. The Rev. Mary H. Demmler will officiate her first service at St. Matthias' on Sunday, December 13.

Mary, her husband Derek and daughter Hannah will move to Toccoa from Alexandria, Virginia. Hannah is 19-months old and will no longer be an only child in early February. The Demmlers' are expecting the arrival of Bailey around February 8. Their enthusiasm, energy and desire to be a part of our family is infectious.

Mary got a B.A. in Religion from Washington and Lee University and a Masters in Divinity from Duke Divinity School.

She was the Vicar at St. Baranabas' in Valdosta, GA for 3 years as well as the College Chaplain, Canterbury House at Valdosta State University.

For the past 3 years she has been the Assistant Rector at St. Peter's in Arlington, VA. She has led ministries to youth, young adults and families with young children plus she implemented a monthly luncheon ministry for members 65 and older.

She is a Volunteer Chaplain at the National Cathedral in Washington, D. C.

We are planning a reception in the parish hall on December 13 following the 10:30am service.
Following is a letter from Mary that was read Sunday as part of our announcement.

Dear St. Matthias' Family,
Your Stewardship Committee for this year chose as their theme “Share the Journey” and it is with great joy that I can say I will be a part of sharing that journey with you in the years to come. When my husband, Derek, and I first heard of the open rector’s position at St. Matthias', we instantly felt a call to enter into the discernment process with your parish. That call has increased exponentially with every completed step of the way. We first visited for an interview in August with your search committee and immediately felt at home. Before we even arrived I told Derek how impressed I was by the search committee’s approach to their rector search, especially the open and prayerful way they approached their responsibility. We began with fellowship over a delicious lunch. Then the formal interview began with prayer and with the opportunity to walk the labyrinth, all of us beginning by listening for the voice of the Spirit.

Throughout the search and discernment process we have felt welcomed and loved. I told my parents after the initial interview how impressed I was that not 30 minutes after the members of the search committee met us, they hugged us. We knew then that this was a parish full of “our kind of people”, as they say. We hunger to be a part of a community that sees itself as family and us as a part of it. We have no doubts we will find that at St. Matthias' and we look forward to calling you all “brothers” and “sisters” in Christ.

I bring with me Derek and our daughter, Hannah, who will be 2 on February 24. We have another daughter, Bailey, on the way and she is due to arrive on February 8. Derek is a history teacher and looks forward to finding a teaching position in the area. We all can’t wait to become a part of the Toccoa and greater Stephens County communities. If the rest of the community is as warm and welcoming as St. Matthias', then we are certain to find a wonderful home there.

Discerning the will of the Spirit and listening for the voice of God has been the top priority of your search committee and your vestry, as it has been for me and my family. God calls us to journey alongside one another as we navigate the waters of Christian discipleship and faith. By supporting one another and sharing our gifts and leaning on others in our weaknesses, we become the working, living, and breathing body of Christ in this world. As the body we reach out with the arms of Christ to the world around us to offer love and compassion. We are blessed that we will walk the next part of our journey with all of you. Thank you for calling me to be your rector and calling our family to become a part of your family. We look forward to sharing the journey with you and the many blessings God will bestow upon us through his Grace in that journey.

Yours in Christ,
Mary+

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