“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (St. Matthew 7:7).
A Note from the Rector
Dear Redeemer Family,
God has opened the door for another excellent priest to join the team at Redeemer!
I am delighted to share the good news that I have called the Rev. Michael Hurst to join us as Senior Assistant Rector, effective August 1, 2022. His first day at the altar and in the pulpit is Saturday, August 6th, at the Contemporary Mass. He will also preach at all of the morning masses on Sunday, August 7th, which is when we will also celebrate Vacation Bible School. Make plans now to be present to meet Fr. Michael and his wife, Gilda.
Fr. Michael currently serves as Rector of St. James Church, a growing parish in Dallas, Texas. From the moment I met Fr. Michael, I felt a personal warmth that drew me in, and I sensed I was in the presence of a joyful evangelist. My feelings have been confirmed multiple times. His wife, Gilda, is just the same. She will be a great gift to the parish and our community. They both believe parish ministry is primarily “to make new Christians and make all Christians new.” I thank our own Youth Minister Jackie Overton for introducing us.
Fr. Michael will share in the full range of parish ministry with the clergy, but this new position could have easily been called “Vice-Rector,” to coin a phrase. I will be leaning heavily on Fr. Michael in some particular areas, including managing our rich liturgical life with our dedicated volunteers and assisting me in leading our incredible lay staff, in addition to other duties.
I would also like to take this time to formally announce that Fr. David Svihel has completed his term as Curate early, and he is now planting roots here as Priest Associate for Christian Formation & Outreach. Please congratulate Fr. David when you see him. His wife, Kalista, and his children, Elliot and Lilly, give us so much joy, and we are thankful that God placed them at Redeemer.
I want to also thank Fr. Ralph Strohm, who has served full time as Priest Associate for Pastoral Care. He has done this in his so-called retirement. Beginning in September, he will return to part-time ministry in the same role. Please thank Fr. Ralph when you see him for his willingness to serve full time when duty called and for sharing his many gifts for ministry so graciously with us at Redeemer.
With every prayer and good wish, I remain:
Your servant,
The Rev. Charleston D. Wilson
Rector, Church of the Redeemer
A Note from the Senior Assistant Rector
It’s official! The Rev. Michael and Gilda Hurst are joining the Redeemer family! We are coming to you from McKinney, Texas, and we are bringing our lovable Labradoodle named Beau.
We have three grown boys, Logan, Chase, and Rob, who are married to beautiful, successful women: Liz, Elizabeth, and Melissa. We also enjoy our five grandchildren who are excited to meet you and visit us in Sarasota.
Texas has been our home for the last twelve years. However, both of us are from Middle Tennessee. Our roots are deep in Tennessee, where we love to visit friends often. I was a youth minister for three decades before entering the priesthood, and I was a builder. I graduated from The University of the South School of Theology in Sewanee, Tennessee. Gilda is an educator who has migrated into real estate. She currently works with REMAX in McKinney and hopes to establish her real estate business in Sarasota.
We both enjoy walking, tennis, and good food (especially seafood!). We look forward to ministering with you and getting to know you and your families.
See you soon,
Fr. Michael Hurst