Next Steps for the Lowes

Dear St. John the Divine,

I am writing to share my gratitude as I enter a new season of ministry. I have accepted a call to be the Assistant Rector for Outreach and Community Life at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Waco, TX. Marleigh and I have felt many emotions as we discerned this call. We are excited for the ministry God is calling us to in Waco, and we are sad to leave you all.

We have loved our time at St. John the Divine. This church affirmed my call to the priesthood and raised me up in ministry. I began here as a Summer Seminarian and quickly fell in love with this community. We were excited to join you again after graduating from Duke. You welcomed Marleigh and me with open arms. Thank you for your grace and kindness to us as we stepped into this life of ministry. I have learned how to be a priest from all of you.

I am grateful for the opportunity to have served with the incredible clergy, staff, and lay leaders. I am immensely thankful for the ministry we have shared together. God has been so faithful. The greatest joy of this ministry has been working with the youth group. God is working powerfully in this group. It is all a gift of grace. My time at SJD has been filled with joy and learning. I am especially thankful to Leigh for his mentorship and kindness.

Thank you for the outpouring of love that you showed us when Lucy was born. We felt so supported as we welcomed her into the world. We will treasure this time in our hearts. You have blessed our family in so many ways, and we can never thank you enough for your compassion.

My last Sunday at St. John the Divine will be March 8. I hope to say goodbye to you all in person in the coming weeks. I am grateful for your friendship in Christ. We are holding you in prayer as you live into your mission of being A Light for the City.

In Christ,

Sutton
The Rev. Sutton Lowe, Curate and Director of Youth Ministries

Dear friends,

As you have read above, the Rev. Sutton Lowe has accepted a call to serve as Assistant Rector of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Waco. With all of you, I am disappointed to be losing Sutton to our own staff and parish this soon into his ordained ministry. Along with Marleigh and now baby Lucy, the Lowes have been important and beloved members of St. John the Divine, and we will miss them. In particular, Sutton has provided outstanding leadership for our youth ministry, which is robust, growing, and fun. Indeed, I am grateful for all the ways Sutton and Marleigh have blessed and enriched our shared life together. And I am very proud of our parish in sponsoring Sutton for ordained ministry in the first place.

Sutton’s last Sunday will be March 8. I know the Lowes have a special attachment to Waco, and we wish them every blessing in the future there. I encourage you to share your personal gratitude with them in the meantime.

In Christ,

Leigh
The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill, Rector

We look forward to celebrating the ministry of the Lowes on Sunday, March 8. More details are forthcoming.