Dean Search

An Important Announcement About Our Dean Search

On behalf of your Vestry, I’m pleased to share an important and exciting update. Based on a clear and compelling recommendation from the Dean Search Committee, the Vestry has unanimously elected the Reverend Aidan Owen to be the next Dean of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral.

Bishop Loya has enthusiastically consented to Reverend Owen’s election and, from my conversations with our Dean-elect, I can share that he is very eager to meet all of us and to take this next step together in the life of our faith community.

About the Reverend Aidan Owen

• Aidan is a native of Dallas, Texas, baptized and raised at The Episcopal Church of St. Thomas the Apostle.
• He has degrees from Yale University (BA) and Union Theological Seminary (MDiv), and did a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
• For twelve years, he was a monk at Holy Cross Monastery, an Episcopal Benedictine community in the Hudson Valley of New York.
• For the last three and a half years he has served as the rector of Ascension Holy Trinity Church in the Hudson Valley, leading renovations of its campus, a significant expansion of its membership, and growing its financial resources.

We will soon hear more from Aidan directly, to help us all get to know him a bit better before his arrival at Saint Mark’s.

About The Search Process

When the Dean Search Committee began its work last year, its members identified four characteristics most important to Saint Mark’s in the selection and evaluation of candidates:

1. Theological/Pastoral: An individual grounded in the love of Christ to shepherd our community in faith and truth, asking our hearts and minds to drive our feet; a teacher, pastor, and companion on the journey.
2. Reconciler: Guided by the Spirit, an individual who will help our community live into the Gospel of reconciliation, restoring relationships, renewing trust, and revealing the unity we share in Christ.
3. Innovative Thinker: An individual who can imagine new ways for our community to grow and flourish, remain grounded in faith and mission, steward our resources faithfully and help our ministries thrive.
4. Intentional Leader: An individual who leads with purpose, grounding every decision in prayer, discernment, and a clear vision for our community.

A large number of applications were received, and the Search Committee evaluated in depth the applications of six candidates, using for each the set of criteria outlined above. They then selected three finalists for in-person visits. After these visits, with prayerful, thorough discernment, and consultation with the Bishop, the Committee presented a unanimous recommendation to the Vestry.

This recommendation illustrated in clear detail how strongly Aidan’s pastoral presence, vision, and personal qualities matched with the characteristics we seek in our new Dean. The Vestry’s unanimous vote underscored its support of the Committee’s recommendation.

What’s Next

• Today, Aidan informed his current parish about his election as Saint Mark’s next Dean, and transition plans are beginning for his move to Minneapolis.
• This Sunday, during the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services, I will provide an overview of the election process and our next steps as we plan to welcome Aidan in the weeks ahead.
• Early next week, please look for an e-mail message of introduction from Aidan. We will also include this message on our website and in our monthly June Connector.
• In the weeks ahead, the Vestry, beginning its work with Aidan, will provide more details about the timing of next steps, including our first opportunities to meet our new Dean and worship together.

Gratitude

As we know, this milestone for our community would not be possible without the focus, patience, dedication, and cooperation of so many.

To all Saint Markans, thank you for the trust you have placed in those who led us through this process and brought us to this joyful day.

To the Dean Search Committee, thank you for the structure and communication you created for the search, for the significant sacrifice of your time, and for your prayerful discernment, collaboration, and dedication to this community as you did your work.

To the Staff of the Cathedral, thank you for your faithful service, your focus, and your collaboration with the Dean Search Committee, the Vestry, and the Bishop’s Office throughout this process.

To our Provost, Tim Kingsley, we have been so fortunate and are so grateful for your leadership during this season of transition, your enthusiastic support for the work of the Dean Search Committee, your guidance to the Vestry, and - perhaps most importantly - for your unwavering pastoral care and friendship.

More can (and will) be said and done at a later date, to celebrate our new Dean, and to acknowledge the gifts of time and service our staff, the Search Committee, and our Provost have given to Saint Mark’s during this period to lead us to this moment. Please join me in including them in your prayers of thanksgiving as we prepare to celebrate all that comes next.

Faithfully
Mike Shepherd, Senior Warden