St. Paul's Episcopal Church

September 23, 2008

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Lynnfield Celebrates New Rector, New Ministry

The congregation of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Lynnfield, 127 Summer Street, welcomed The Rev. Michael B. Dangelo as St. Paul’s seventh rector at a “Celebration of New Ministry” service on Tuesday, September 23, 2008.

Celebrant for the New Ministry service was The Rt. Rev. Roy F. “Bud” Cederholm, Bishop Suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. The Episcopal “Celebration of New Ministry” service includes the presentation of several symbolic gifts to the new rector that mark the start of the relationship with the congregation. Bishop Cederholm presented Rev. Dangelo with a flagon of water to symbolize the role of the rector plays in baptizing people into the faith. A Bible was given to Rev. Dangelo by Senior and Junior Wardens Jonna Casey and Richard Shafner, respectively; a stole was presented to symbolize the rector’s pastoral role; a Book of Common Prayer was given to represent the role of prayer in the life of a parish leader; a container of oil represented the tasks of healing and reconciliation; and a set of keys represented the rector’s role in opening church’s doors to all people.

“This is a really exciting moment not just for me and my family but for St. Paul's Church,” said Rev. Dangelo. “For over 90 years this parish has ministered to Lynnfield, our neighboring towns, and beyond. This remarkable parish has heard God's call to serve Christ and the world. I'm humbled and honored to serve alongside them.”

Rev. Dangelo was previously at Trinity Church in Boston, where he served as Associate Rector for Congregational Growth. Prior to that, he served the Church of the Transfiguration in Manhattan, NY, as Lay Assistant and Deacon-in-Residence. He received his Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School and his BA in Biblical Studies from Wheaton College (IL). He and his wife and daughter live in Lynnfield.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church was founded in 1918. For more information about St. Paul’s, contact the church at 781-334-4594 or see the parish’s Web site: http://www.stpaulslynnfield.org.