St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Reston, Virginia, is a welcoming, diverse, and progressive faith community. In 1969 the founding congregation began as a church without walls, eventually growing into our current contemporary building where ~150 people of all ages worship each Sunday. Embodying our faith through action and service has always been at the heart of St. Anne’s. It came as no surprise when we recently participated in a congregational “spiritual gifts” discernment process and discovered that our top gifts are missionary, service, music, faith, and compassion. These truly demonstrate the ways we Walk in Love.

St. Anne’s is seeking a full-time ordained Associate Rector for Discipleship to partner with our rector, vestry, staff, and lay leadership to meet the opportunities and challenges of ministry during these unprecedented times in our country. We seek a collaborative priest, eager to make meaningful contributions in all aspects of church leadership. The candidate who is the perfect fit for this role will have the maturity, passion, warmth, and conviction needed to address the spiritual and emotional needs of our congregation. Exceptional interpersonal, organizational and communication skills are essential for one who would join us in living out our faith as disciples of Jesus through building relationships with and among our neighbors.

This position is designed for someone prepared to invest deeply in our vibrant community. In addition to sharing and participating in all clergy duties, our new Associate Rector for Discipleship will guide us as we support current formation programs and develop new programs for all ages. Equally important, the new Associate Rector for Discipleship will work to enhance how we live out our faith through action by serving opportunities with and among our wider community, and connecting our lay ministers with new resources to help our parish be Jesus’ hands, feet, and voice in the world.

In working at St. Anne’s, you will find a supportive clergy and staff team who enjoy collaborating. We encourage one another to find sustainable rhythms of work and sabbath, respecting chosen days off and supporting time away. We value celebrating milestones and accomplishments.

Prior ordained leadership experience in the Episcopal Church is desired. If newly ordained, parish leadership, non-profit and/or community organizing experience is required.

Essential Functions of Discipleship through Study and Learning (~30% of time)

• Develop and oversee study and learning programming for all ages. Current programs include Godly Play, Sunday School, Youth Group, Adult Formation, VBS, and mission trip

• Provide guidance and support to the lay leaders of Children, Youth, and Adult Formation

• Teach and lead periodic Adult Formation opportunities

• Build supportive relationships with the parents of children and youth of the parish

• Prepare congregants for confirmation and baptism, working with the rector

​​

Essential Functions of Discipleship through Action (~30%)

• Nourish and develop lay leadership in Action ministries

• Oversee and support current Action Ministries, especially the thriving Food Pantry

• Connect and partner with the surrounding community and nonprofit organizations to develop and advance our outreach efforts

• Explore and identify new Action opportunities and encourage parish leadership and participation

 

Essential Clergy Functions (~30%)

• Participate fully in the sacramental life of the church

• Share liturgical and pastoral responsibilities with the rector

• Preach at least once a month

• Share on-call duties and pastoral visits with the rector

• Develop, implement, and participate in parish-wide fellowship opportunities with the rector and lay leaders

• Participate in Diocesan programs

​​

Other Duties as assigned (~10%)

• Participate in supervisory meetings with the rector

• Participate in staff meetings

• Oversee budgets for Study and Learning, and Action

• Other duties as assigned by the rector

 

Reports to: The Rector

Status: Full Time

Compensation: $75-90,000, depending on experience

 

Application Process

Applicants should submit a cover letter addressed to the Search Committee at AssociateRectorSearch@stannes-reston.org in which the candidate describes why they feel drawn into discernment around this particular position, a current resume, a PDF of the candidate’s current Office of Transition Ministries Portfolio, and digital access to at least 2 recent sermons. We are accepting applications until May 31, 2025.

 

Additional Context

Part of how we walk in love and serve as Jesus’s hands and feet in the world is through our social justice ministries, including working with a local immigration law nonprofit, voter’s registration, and Praying the African American Spirituals series. As well as through creation care, such as our apiary, composting, and natural groundskeeping. We are LGBTQIA+ affirming and were founding sponsors of the annual Reston Pride festival.

 

Our food pantry is a ministry with and among our community, valuing our time connecting with our neighbors. Over 82,000 pounds of food and other essentials (including diapers) were distributed last year. That’s about 200 households each month plus two local shelters. And these numbers are rising! With over 1,500 hours worked last year, our dedicated and passionate volunteers are an embodiment of how we Walk in Love.