Category: Rector Search

The Rev. Mark Winward has been named as the new Rector for the Episcopal Church of the Holy Family in Jasper, Georgia.  Father Winward’s first service at Holy Family will be on Sunday, August 3rd.  All are welcome to attend with receptions to follow after both the 8:00 am and 10:30 am services.

A native of East Hartford, CT, Father Winward is a recently retired Navy Captain in the Chaplain Corps and a prior Navy Unrestricted Line Officer. His last assignment was as the Senior Chaplain at the National Security Agency and Central Security Service at Fort Meade, MD.

Father Winward wrote his Master’s Thesis at Ridley Hall, Cambridge University, UK; earned his Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1997; and his Master of Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2007. He was ordained to the diaconate in the Episcopal Church in 1997 and to the priesthood in 1998.

Upon his graduation in 1997, Father Winward accepted a call to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Newport News, Virginia as Assistant Rector. During this time, he co-founded the Committee for Science, Technology, and Faith for the Episcopal Church. In 1999, he accepted a call as Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Saco, ME.

After supporting recovery efforts at the Pentagon following the attacks on 9-11, Father Winward felt a strong calling to return to active duty as a Chaplain.  Since 2002, in addition to his numerous joint military, Navy and Marine Corps assignments, he completed assignments in Iraq and Afghanistan, and served on the faculty of the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA, and the Special Operations University in Tampa, FL. Father Winward has been married to his beloved bride, KC, for 37 years and has two adult sons, Christian and Matthew.

Your vestry remains enthusiastic and excited about Father Mark Winward becoming the new Rector for Holy Family.  As a reminder of his background and previous assignments, please see the previous announcement on his selection titled ‘Our Big Announcement!’

Father Winward’s previously announced start date of Sunday, June 29 has been indefinitely delayed.  The vestry remains totally committed to bringing him to Holy Family and will provide a revised start date as soon as it is available.

During the interim period, our Rev. Dr. Bill Harkins has agreed to continue to serve as our Interim Priest-in-Charge when he returns from his scheduled continuing education and vacation which begins after Sunday, May 18.  Also, our Rev. Byron Tindall has agreed to serve at Sunday services when available.  Your Worship Ministry led by Jim Braley will plan accordingly to ensure proper coverage for Sunday services during this interim period.

Thanks to all for your continued understanding, patience and support.  Your vestry will keep you informed of further developments.
Phil Anderson, Senior Warden

Dear Fellow Parishioners, On behalf of the vestry, I am pleased to announce that the Bishop of Atlanta has approved the vestry’s selection of Father Mark Winward as the new Rector for Holy Family. Father Winward’s first service at Holy Family will be on Sunday, June 29th. A native of East Hartford, CT, Father Winward is a recently retired Navy Captain in the Chaplain Corps and a prior Unrestricted Line Officer. His last assignment was as the Senior Chaplain at the National Security Agency and Central Security Service at Fort Meade, MD.  Father Winward wrote his Master’s Thesis at Ridley Hall, Cambridge University, UK; earned his Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1997; and his Master of Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2007. He was ordained to the diaconate in the Episcopal Church in 1997 and to the priesthood in 1998. Upon his graduation in 1997, Father Winward accepted a call to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Newport News, Virginia as Assistant Rector. During this time, he co-founded the Committee for Science, Technology, and Faith for the Episcopal Church. In 1999, he accepted a call as Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Saco, ME. After supporting recovery efforts at the Pentagon following the attacks on 9-11, Father Winward felt a strong calling to return to active duty as a Chaplain. Since 2002, in addition to his numerous joint military, Navy and Marine Corps assignments, he completed assignments in Iraq and Afghanistan, and served on the faculty of the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA, and the Special Operations University in Tampa, FL. Father Winward has been married to his beloved bride, KC, for 37 years and has two adult sons, Christian and Matthew. They currently reside in Valrico, Florida.  The success of the search process for our new Rector can be largely attributed to the comprehensive work done by the nominating committee. The vestry extends our deep appreciation to nominating committee members Steve Franzen, Martha Power, Scott Armentrout, Winship Durrett, Cammie Cox, Allan DeNiro, Jeannine Krenson, Richard Smith, and Ric Sanchez for their diligence in administering the CAT survey, their preparation of the Parish Profile and their prayerful consideration of Rector candidates to refer to the vestry for consideration. Please join me in thanking the nominating committee and the vestry for their dedicated service to Holy Family.  Phil Anderson Senior Warden

The nominating (search) committee has referred candidates to the vestry and the vestry is preparing for the on-campus candidate interview phase of the search process.  Please respect the confidentiality the vestry must maintain during this final phase prior to the call of our new rector.  Please remember all vestry members in your prayers!  Jim Braley, Ginger Griffith, John Kirk, Phil Anderson, Loran Davis, Amy Snyder, Wayne Crawford, Belinda Humphrey and Mary Sue Zercher.

November 25 was the deadline for applications for our new Rector. We have several very qualified applicants; we have been told by our Diocese transition advisor that getting multiple applicants is outstanding. We now start a period of due diligence and interviews to narrow it down. At that time, the nominating committee will make recommendations to the vestry who will then complete the search process. During this stage, we will, of course, maintain a strict code of confidentiality. We covet your continued prayers that God will lead us to the ideal candidate/rector for Holy Family. –Steve Franzen, Martha Power, Scott Armentrout, Winship Durrett, Cammie Cox, Allan DeNiro, Jeannine Krenson, and Richard Smith. 

Early October 2024 the Parish Profile was approved by the Vestry and the Diocese and is posted on our Web Site Home Page. Click on the blue button labelled Parish Profile.  Also on October 15 we published the position opening on the Episcopal News Service under Jobs and Call.

Please remember all the nominating committee members in your prayers! Steve Franzen, Martha Power, Scott Armentrout, Winship Durrett, Cammie Cox, Allan DeNiro, Jeannine Krenson, and our newest member Richard Smith who has replaced Ric Sanchez.

The Nominating Committee was pleased to host Sally Ulrey from the diocese last week as she made a presentation regarding the data gathered from the parish-wide CAT survey. If you have any questions about the survey or any aspect of the work the committee is doing, members of the committee will be available in the parish hall between the services to speak with you this Sunday, August 11. Of course, you are free to contact any committee member at any time to discuss the search process. 

Please remember all the nominating committee members in your prayers! Steve Franzen, Martha Power, Scott Armentrout, Winship Durrett, Ric Sanchez, Cammie Cox, Allan DeNiro and Jeannine Krenson.

Canon Sally Ulrey will be at Holy Family this Sunday August 4 for the 10 am Service to explain the results of the survey that 140 of us took in preparation for the new rector. Canon Ulrey will speak for approximately 30 minutes and will have a short amount of time for Q&A. We look forward to seeing you this Sunday! 

The Nominating Committee will be available on August 11 for a Round Table Discussion between services to answer any questions you may have about the survey results. The Nominating Committee encourages all parishioners to come to both special events.

Meanwhile, the Parish Profile sub committee is diligently working on editing the writeups from each ministry head and exploring ways of showing Holy Family as it really is – a welcoming, active, and vibrant parish ready to transition into the next phase of doing God’s work here in the Jasper area. 

Please remember all the nominating committee members in your prayers! –Steve Franzen, Martha Power, Scott Armentrout, Winship Durrett, Ric Sanchez, Cammie Cox, Allan DeNiro and Jeannine Krenson. 

There will be only one service on August 4 and it will be at 10:00 am. There will be no 9:15 Adult Ed that day. The reason for the change in time is because Canon Sally Ullrey from the Bishop’s staff will be at Holy Family to explain the results of the survey 140 of us took in preparation for the new rector. Canon Ullrey will speak for approximately 30 minutes and will have a short amount of time for Q&A. 

Remember! Put it on your calendar! Put a string around your finger! Tell Siri 10:00 am Service, August 4.

Also, the Nominating Committee will be available on August 11 between the services to answer any questions that folks may have about the survey results. The Nominating Committee encourages all parishioners to come to both special events. –Steve Franzen, Martha Power, Scott Armentrout, Winship Durrett, Ric Sanchez, Cammie Cox, Allan DeNiro and Jeannine Krenson.