THE REV. DR. ANDREW GROSSO ANNOUNCED AS NEXT SAINT MICHAEL ASSOCIATE FOR WORSHIP & LITURGY

POSTED WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 | 3 PM CST

DALLAS, TX - After a national search, Saint Michaels and All Angels Episcopal has appointed The Rev. Dr. Andrew Grosso, formerly the Canon to the Dean at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (Columbia, SC), as the next Associate for Worship and Liturgy.

Before coming to Dallas, Andrew was the Canon to the Dean at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (Columbia, SC), where he also served as the Acting Dean during the time the cathedral sought a new Dean. Andrew has also served as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Nashotah House Theological Seminary (Nashotah, WI), Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church (Atchison, KS), Dean of the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry (Topeka, KS), and Canon Residentiary at Grace Episcopal Cathedral (Topeka, KS). Andrew was raised in Michigan, and completed his undergraduate studies in Psychology at Calvin College (Grand Rapids, MI). He began his graduate studies at Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL), where he completed an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies. His doctoral studies were in the areas of systematic and philosophical theology, and he received his PhD from Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI). In preparation for ordination, Andrew completed an MDiv at the School of Theology of the University of the South (Sewanee, TN). He maintains an active interest in theological and philosophical scholarship, and especially appreciates the work of Michael Polanyi, Thomas F. Torrance, John Neville Figgis, and Martin Thornton.

Rev. Grosso fills a strategically important role for Saint Michael, and is known for his sensitivity to ways corporate worship and prayer shape one’s experience of the life of faith. He is passionate about helping people grow and mature as Christians and thereby respond to God’s call to bear witness to the gospel of Christ. Andrew is married to wife Diana.

ACCOMPANYING MESSAGE FROM SAINT MICHAEL RECTOR CHRIS GIRATA

I'm thrilled to bring you the news that we have called the Rev. Dr. Andrew Grosso as our next Associate for Worship and Liturgy. Andrew comes to Saint Michael having most recently served as Acting Dean of Trinity Cathedral in Columbia, SC. His passion for the rich experience of worship is apparent and his thoughtfulness and skill will be a great gift to the worship life of our church community. Andrew and his wife, Diana, will be joining us before Holy Week, and although we will still be physically distant, I hope you will get to meet him very soon!

Please join me in a giving thanks, and please keep Andrew and Diana in your prayers during their transition.

ACCOMPANYING MESSAGE FROM SAINT MICHAEL VICE RECTOR KEN BRANNON

It is my distinct honor to introduce you to the Rev. Dr. Andrew Grosso, our new Associate for Worship and Liturgy. Andrew will oversee all aspects of worship at Saint Michael and will work closely with staff and volunteer leaders to ensure continued excellence in this area. He will also serve as a member of the executive staff, bless us with his substantial teaching skills, and provide pastoral care as part of the priest on-call rotation.

I have very much enjoyed getting to know Andrew these past six weeks and I am confident that we have found a person of remarkable intellect, strong character, and Christ-centered faith. In addition to being an experienced Episcopal priest, Andrew also has significant executive experience leading a cathedral, serving as associate dean of a seminary, and shepherding a parish. Please see his biographical statement to learn more.

Diana, his wife, is an accomplished visual artist, loves to play music (she has studied piano, guitar, Celtic harp, Scottish bagpipes, and viola), and enjoys cooking.

Andrew and Diana are scheduled to arrive in Dallas in mid-March, and we will let you know about opportunities to meet them, whether virtually in livestream worship or in a socially distant, outdoor setting.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Rev. Canon Rene Somodevilla, who has assisted in the worship and liturgy department for the past several months as we conducted the search for a new Associate. Once Andrew gets settled in, Rene will return to his usual assisting duties in pastoral care and worship.

I thank God for this new expression of faithfulness, and I thank each of you for the ways that you will bless Andrew and Diana in their ministry at Saint Michael, as they bless yours as well.

ACCOMPANYING MESSAGE FROM ANDREW GROSSO TO SAINT MICHAEL PARISH

Dear Saint Michael and All Angels Church, One of the great gifts and joys of priestly ministry is the opportunity to help lead God’s people in worship and prayer, and I’m grateful for the call to serve as the Associate for Worship and Liturgy at Saint Michael and All Angels. It’s clear the congregation supports a wide range of vibrant ministries, and now finds itself in the enviable position of having to exercise careful discernment as to how best to strengthen existing ministries, while also incorporating new initiatives into a strategically aligned vision for mission in today’s changing world. I very much appreciate Saint Michael’s commitment to the traditions that have brought the congregation to this point in its life as a community of faith, and its willingness to engage the opportunities and challenges appearing on the horizon. Serving at Saint Michael will be both a privilege and a blessing.