The Rector's Corner - New Directions/New Ministries

The Rev. Cole Gruberth, Associate Rector since July, 2007 has accepted a call to a new ministry in the Diocese of Rochester (New York). Our subtly humorous preacher of thoughtful, nuanced sermons – our gifted liturgist and cantor – our sensitive pastor in times of sorrow and need – our straight from the seminary scholar of Hebrew and teacher of Confirmation classes – our interim youth minister for a time, although he was not originally called to St. Bart’s for youth ministry – our dear friend Cole is leaving. He and Corie, with their bright, energetic daughter, Grace are off to seven congregations well south of the see city, Rochester. Cole will assist a priest who has, for several years, been responsible for ministry in three congregations. Those three have just been combined with a nearby four-congregation regional ministry. By the end of this year, Cole will succeed his new boss and mentor. Assisting Cole in his and the seven congregations’ new ministry will be three clergy raised up in those congregations and trained locally. Soon, a seminary trained associate will be called to work with Cole, as well. While this is a rural ministry setting, I believe that Cole’s experience here will serve him well. He will also be informed in his new ministry by his immediately pre-seminary experience of living for several years in a small upstate New York town and serving on the Vestry of a rural congregation. Cole, Corie, and Grace will depart for Rochester on August 23. On their last weekend at St Bart’s, August 21 and 22, recognitions of their time and ministry among us will be included at all services. Please plan to be present! Following each service there will be refreshments on the patio and time to visit informally with Cole. Corie and Grace will be present following one of the services, too – probably between the 9:30 am and 11:15 am services. I will miss Cole in the office next door to me – especially his frequent treks into my office to find out what I’m up to and/or laughing about and my frequent treks into his office to find out what he’s up to and/or laughing about. We are blessed/burdened with similar senses of humor which will now virtually bookend much of the Episcopal Church.

With the Vestry’s advice and support, I have called Greg Tuttle to St. Bartholomew’s as Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries effective August 1. I do not plan to call an Associate Rector at this time. At the outset, Greg will work exclusively in the areas of youth and young adult ministries and these will remain his primary responsibilities, even if and when other of his professional experience is utilized. Kirsten Plonka, Coordinator of Youth Ministries for the past two years has already worked with Greg on the Diocesan Youth Commission events, joint St. Bart’s and St. David’s events, and in the regular meetings for youth ministers from around the diocese. Kirsten will continue as part of our youth ministry team. Cole’s preaching, liturgical planning and leadership, pastoral care, and other clergy duties will be divided among the rest of the parish clergy, including me.

For the past ten years, Greg has coordinated and led the youth and young adult ministries in two San Diego parishes – first for two years at All Souls, Point Loma and, for the past eight years, at St. David’s, Clairemont. In addition to his young adult ministry at St. David’s, he has been active in youth ministry in several contexts: parish, diocese, region (Province VIII – 18 dioceses including San Diego), and the whole Episcopal Church. His gifts include teaching, developing and coordinating youth liturgy, equipping youth and adult volunteers for ministry, team building, web design, video editing, desktop publishing, guitar playing and, by the way, relating very well to youth, and to people of all ages. I’m sure you will enjoy getting to know Greg, his wife, Shawna, and their sons, Lucas (7) and Alexander (2). In addition to family, Greg’s interests include music, travel, painting, and sailing.