St. Mary’s Episcopal names leader

After a nationwide search, the leaders of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

have asked the Rev. Elizabeth I. Rechter, formerly of the Cathedral

of St. Philip in Atlanta, Ga., to lead the parish.

“I am very excited to become a part of this faithful and vibrant

Christian community,” Rechter said in a statement.

The choice of Rechter follows an intensive national search process

conducted in collaboration with the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.

“We are truly blessed to have found a priest with the Rev.

Rechter’s many gifts,” said St. Mary’s Senior Warden Tom Davis in a

statement.

Over the past decade, Rechter served in many capacities at St.

Philip, a 5,000-member church.

Most recently she was canon associate in education and pastoral

care. She was also canon missioner, responsible for all outreach

ministries, and canon for evangelism.

She has led mission trips to Ecuador and was active in interfaith

activities and study in the Atlanta area, including organizing trips

to Turkey and Morocco.

“We welcome Rechter to the diverse Southern California Episcopal

family,” said the Rev. Sergio Carranza, bishop assistant for the

Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, in a statement.

Prior to joining the Cathedral staff, Rechter served as assistant

to the rector at Trinity Church, Princeton, N.J., and as a seminarian

assistant at the Church of the Savior, Washington, D.C., and St.

Francis, Great Falls, Va.

Rechter received a bachelor of science degree from Douglass

College at Rutgers University and a master of divinity from the

Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary in Virginia.

Rechter lives in Laguna Beach with her husband, Jay, and their

children Jonathan and Caroline.

Rechter will celebrate the Holy Eucharist and deliver her first

homily during two services at St. Mary’s on Oct. 9 (traditional rite

at 8 a.m.; contemporary rite at 10 a.m.). The services are open to

all worshippers.

The church is located at 428 Park Ave. Information: (949) 494.3542

or o7www.stmaryslagunabeach.orgf7.