Letter from the Rev. Beth Scriven

Beloved people of St. Paul’s,

With a mix of joy, sadness, and surprise, I share with you that I have been called to serve as Canon to the Ordinary for Leadership Development in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. 

Joy, because I am excited for how this new role pulls together so many strands of ministry I have treasured for years: the care and equipping of leaders, vocational discernment coaching, transition and change work, administration as a pastoral offering, and service in the wider church. Sadness, because I have genuinely loved sharing the last two and a half years with you all and I will miss you very much. And surprise, because I had not planned to leave St. Paul’s this soon. 

When I first saw the job description posted, I set it aside more than once because I wasn’t looking. But the posting kept coming back in front of me, and eventually I could no longer deny that I felt the Spirit stirring - not on my expected timeline, but now. That sense grew consistently as I learned more about the Diocese of San Diego’s ministry in their communities and congregations, until it became clear to me that God was calling me to join them in living out their diocesan vision of Courageous Love. 

I am deeply grateful for all that St. Paul’s has given me. Thank you for trusting me with your stories and your questions. Thank you for being willing to try new things together, learn from them, and try again. And thank you especially for supporting my medical leave this past summer. Stepping away to seek treatment allowed me to heal and correct patterns of disordered eating that have been with me for years, and to return with new resources, skills, and support that are making me a better, healthier person and priest. I know it was not an easy thing to have a rector transition, clergy sabbatical, and clergy medical leave all happen at once, and I am grateful for your understanding and grace.

As I go, I will remember how we have shared Christ’s love through liturgy and music and preaching and conversation; created community in new ways through Lenten gatherings and Advent puzzle pieces, casual hallway chats and intentional planning meetings; and striven for justice through Sacred Ground gatherings, launching new teams for Racial Justice and Advocacy, Equity, and Justice efforts, and Faith in Action partnerships such as Habitat for Humanity and SafePark Indy. 

I will treasure these last weeks we have to share such ministry and fellowship together. And I will look forward to hearing about the amazing things I know God has in store for and with and through St. Paul’s over the coming months and years.

 With love and gratitude,

Please click here to read the announcement from the Rev. Devon Anderson in the Thursday, January 8 eConnections weekly newsletter.