Gerbracht-Stagnaro Accepts Call to Serve at Grace Episcopal, Manchester, NH

January 31, 2011

Dear Members of the St. Patrick’s Community,

It is with a mixture of sadness, gratitude, and excitement about what lies ahead for her that we announce that the Rev. Dr. Marjorie Ann Gerbracht-Stagnaro, Associate Rector and Day School Chaplain, has accepted a call to serve as priest-in-charge of Grace Episcopal Church in Manchester, New Hampshire, beginning July 10, 2011.

We are fortunate that Marjorie will continue to serve at St. Patrick’s through the middle of June, teaching her classes, ministering to this community, and bringing to a joyous close her thirteenth year as such a cherished part of St. Patrick’s. While we will deeply miss Marjorie, she is understandably excited about the opportunities and challenges awaiting her in her new call. Knowing full well the gifts that she has to share with Grace Episcopal Church, we join Marjorie in that enthusiasm.

 Located on Manchester’s central square, Grace Episcopal Church embraces a mission of “infinite respect for one another and radical hospitality for the world.” Marjorie and her family have met with representatives of this 150-year-old parish over the past several months and, through prayer and mutual discernment, found that they were called to serve God, together. The parishioners of Grace Episcopal Church are lucky to have such a gifted priest lead them as they embark on new mission and ministry.

It is difficult to know how and where to begin to capture Marjorie’s contributions to the shared life of St. Patrick’s Church and Day School. Thousands of students have been in her care in her role as Day School Chaplain. She has introduced many to the opportunity to serve the world in response to God’s grace and has made many aware of the great cloud of witnesses, in all religious traditions, who help ground us in the Spirit. As Associate Rector, she preached, educated, celebrated, and supported the parish in many different capacities including serving as the Interim Rector during the 2007 transition. She has laughed, sung, and cried with us. She has given so many great gifts to St. Patrick’s and will continue to be a dedicated servant and minister over the next several months.

On Friday, May 20, the Day School will celebrate Marjorie’s many contributions—and those of similarly talented colleagues who join her in this work—at our traditional Chapel Honoring Faculty and Staff. Two days later, on Sunday, May 22, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church and Day School collectively will celebrate and thank Marjorie for her many years of dedicated service as we wish her well on a new adventure. In the nearer term, we will announce Marjorie’s year-end departure to Day School students at Lower School Chapel on Tuesday, February 1, and Upper School Chapel on Wednesday, February 2.

We are excited about the many new chapters ahead for Marjorie and her family. While we will miss them deeply, we recognize that they will always be part of the Light of St. Patrick’s. During this time of transition, please keep Marjorie, Brent, Fiona, and Zachary in your prayers.

Faithfully,

The Rev. Dr. Kurt Gerhard                                                      Peter A. Barrett

Rector                                                                                      Head of School

kurt@stpatrickschurchdc.org                                                   barrettp@stpatsdc.org

www.stpatrickschurchdc.org

Becoming Church - Salt, Light, and YOU, The Rev. Dr. Marjorie Gerbracht-Stagnaro, February 6, 2011
Audio Sermon from Advent IV, December 19, 2011, The Rev. Dr. Marjorie Gerbracht-Stagnaro

What do you want to be? Do you want to be made well?, The Rev. Dr. Marjorie Gerbracht-Stagnaro