All Saints Episcopal Church hires new rector

Media Contact: Jeff Pohl 443.742.0197 

ALL SAINTS ANNOUNCES NEW RECTOR

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL - All Saints Episcopal Church is proud to announce the arrival of its seventh rector, The Rev. Kate Spelman.  All Saints is located at 4370 Woodland Avenue in Western Springs on the southwest corner of Woodland and Walnut. The church was founded on All Saints Day, November 1st, 1894.  “We are excited that Kate has accepted the call to lead our parish and look forward to this vibrant new chapter in our long history as a congregation and member of the community,” said Senior Warden Kent Wilson.    

Ms. Spelman is a lifelong Midwesterner who holds a BA with general honors from the University of Chicago.  An active Episcopalian since her earliest years, Kate discerned a call to ministry and left Chicago for Yale Divinity School, graduating in 2011 with a Masters of Divinity and Diploma in Anglican Studies from Berkeley Divinity School (an Episcopal seminary affiliated with Yale).  She was the recipient of the Mersick Prize for excellence in preaching.  

In 2011 Kate was ordained a deacon by the Right Reverend Jeffrey Lee, Bishop of Chicago.  She began her ministry in Philadelphia as the Assistant Minister at historic Christ Church, birthplace of the Episcopal Church and one-time worshipping place of Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross, and George Washington.  For three years, Kate served as primary pastor to the congregation's youth, young families, and young adults and shared pastoral and liturgical leadership of the 500-member congregation with Christ Church's other clergy.  She was ordained a priest in Philadelphia in early 2012.  

“Returning to Episcopal Diocese of Chicago and serving as a rector have long been person goals of mine,” said Spelman. “I cannot imagine a better place to do this than All Saints.  It is poised to grow by leaps and bounds, both in numbers and liveliness.  Already, All Saints is a community of Christians dedicated to being the church with one another and growing in  their relationship with God.  Through outreach, fellowship and worship, we will be living out the Diocese of Chicago's motto: Growing the church, forming the faithful, changing the world!” 

All Saints will celebrate the great Vigil of Easter on Saturday, April 19th at 7:30pm, and hold Easter Services at 7:30am and 10:30am.  All are welcome.  For more information on Kate and a full schedule of worship services, see All Saints website at www.allsaintsws.org