An Exciting Time in the Life of our Parish
We are entering an exciting time in the life of our parish. The opportunity the Holy Spirit is giving us, with the merger of St. Martin’s into our midst, will allow us to do ministry in ways that we have only dreamed about.
by Father Lee Davis on October 14, 2021
We've Come This Far by Faith
We are entering an exciting time in the life of our parish. The opportunity the Holy Spirit is giving us, with the merger of St. Martin’s into our midst, will allow us to do ministry in ways that we have only dreamed about. You will have a chance to hear more about that soon, our plan is to have a question and answer period in November. Be sure to read the transition team updates on our website, or pick up a copy on the table in the back of the church on Sunday!
Regardless of the opportunity for impactful, life-changing ministry before us, we must continue to commit to supporting the operational budget of our parish. We can’t do it without your continued support. Remember, we’ve come this far by faith, and our faith is leading us into an exciting future where real lives can be blessed and transformed.
If you have already pledged your support, thank you! If you have not submitted your pledge, we pray that you will continue to support the ministry of St. Mary Magdalene. With your support, we will be able to make an incredible difference in the communities around us going forward, and after all, that is what God calls us to do.
Pledge cards are available in the church office or in the back of the church. You can also make your pledge online at https://onrealm.org/StMaryMagdalene/AddPledge/pledge, or just call the church office, and Carol, our Parish Administrator, will help you.
Thank you again for your support of the work and mission of St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church.
Faithfully,
Fr. Lee+
Tags: stewardship, faith, ministry
About the Author
Father Lee Davis
After a diverse career in marketing and finance and a sudden realization of the love and power of God that he discovered aboard a Navy ship, Father Lee Davis has the distinction of being baptized, confirmed, and received for Holy Orders on the same Sunday. He studied at Bexley Hall Seminary in Columbus, Ohio where he received a Master's of Divinity degree in 2009 and then served as priest-in-charge of St. Andrew's in Hollywood, Florida as well as an assisting priest at St. Benedict's in Plantation. Father Lee also worked as a Hospice Chaplain. When he left after a little more than two years, St. Andrew's had grown in membership and under his guidance extended its outreach into the community. He was also a pivotal leader of the Jubilee Center of Hollywood, a vital outreach ministry to the homeless and hungry, and served on the Board of Directors for St. Lawrence Chapel, serving the homeless in Pompano Beach. He also served on several diocesan committees working with the youth of the diocese.
In December 2012, Father Lee was called as rector of St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Damascus, Maryland. During his 8 year tenure there the vestry of the parish noted that "His dynamic leadership, inspired preaching, creative ideas and compassionate pastoral care combined to bring a new level of excitement, commitment, and growth among the congregation." Through his leadership, he developed partnerships with other organizations in the community, helped establish a transitional home for victim's of domestic violence, began the process of developing affordable senior housing on some of the acreages of land owned by the church, and grew stewardship achieving their first balanced budget in over a decade. At the beginning of the COVID pandemic, he led the congregation into the development of an online presence and with a couple of dedicated lay members started a feeding program for families in need which continues today. He served in the Diocese of Washington DC helping in the implementation of a Diaconate Formation program as well as being on the Board of Directors of the Washington Episcopal Clergy Association and serving on the Diocesan Executive Council.
Amidst the COVID pandemic, Father Lee accepted the call to be our rector and began his tenure in September 2019. His leadership has already blessed our community.