The Very Rev. Timothy Jones, dean of Trinity Cathedral in Columbia, South Carolina, announces that the Rev. Andrew Grosso will become canon for formation and canon to the dean on Aug. 15:
Andrew first impressed me by his extensive experience. He has served as clergy staff for a Cathedral, as a rector of a parish, a dean for a diocesan school for ministry training, and an associate seminary dean. While he has had ten years of experience in full-time parish ministry, his other involvements have given him further depth in strategic visioning, creating well-planned programs, offering stirring teaching, and supervising staff. I have never read a letter of interest from a candidate that did a better job keying in on how one’s experience might connect with the needs and opportunities of a position.
Andrew’s gifts in formation also impressed me. With an M.Div. from the School of Theology at Sewanee and a Ph.D. from Marquette University, he has strong credentials. “In the congregations I’ve served,” he wrote, “I’ve developed Bible studies, Sunday school programs, and small group studies.” I like his vision for the Cathedral as “a community where people are drawn deeper into the life of faith and their relationship with God,” as they are then readied to be “sent out to proclaim in word and deed the gospel of Christ.”
I also note his great administrative experience, including most recently as associate dean at Nashotah House Theological Seminary. That will be a huge asset to me, assisting me and our other leaders in keen thinking about seizing our opportunities. Andrew will work well with our Canon for Parish Ministry, Dorian Del Priore, envisioning ways to deepen engagement and bringing fresh perspective to our efforts to make disciples of all ages.
Matthew Townsend is a Halifax-based freelance journalist and volunteer advocate for survivors of sexual misconduct in Anglican settings. He served as editor of the Anglican Journal from 2019 to 2021 and communications missioner for the Anglican Diocese of Quebec from 2019 to 2022. He and his wife recently entered catechism class in the Orthodox Church in America.
