Dear Siblings in Christ,
"This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:24
With great joy, the Wardens and Vestry of The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany are delighted to announce that the Reverend Shane Carlson will join us as our next Rector on Sunday, June 1, 2025!
Rev. Carlson comes to us from St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Medina, Washington. He is seasoned in both congregational ministry and administrative leadership. He is gifted in preaching and presiding, coordinating committees and growing ministry teams, and leading adult and children's formation. He brings significant strategic leadership and financial management skills.
Rev. Carlson was called to Epiphany after a nation-wide search. Prior to ordination in the Priesthood, he excelled in a 30-year career in non-profit ministry. In his career, he served as the Director of Operations and then Executive Director of CRISTA Camps, including serving as Vice President on CRISTA's Ministry Council. He cultivated a culture of servant-leadership, hospitality, and built community partnerships -- which led the organization to flourish in its mission, enrollment, and finances.
Reverend Carlson impressed our Search Committee with his gifts in pastoral care, and his sincerity to join us as we grow in our knowledge and love of God. When the search committee presented Priest Shane for consideration, we were told about his deeply compassionate and pastoral nature. The Vestry understood what the search committee meant once we met him, and our hope is that you will, too. Shane understands that his call to Epiphany includes, more than anything, getting to know and love us. He comes prepared to listen as well as lead.
Reverend Carlson is a lifelong Episcopalian. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education from Seattle Pacific University and graduated cum laude from the Virginia Theological Seminary where he earned his Masters in Divinity. He will be joined by his wife Allison, who is completing her Masters in Social Work. Together, they are parents to Caiden, 15; Eamon, 13; and Gwen,10.
The Carlsons are no strangers to Northern Arizona! Reverend Carlson proposed to his wife near the Kaibab Suspension Bridge at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and lived in Williams, Arizona for many years. They enjoy outdoor adventuring in the beauty of God's creation from forests to the sea.
We are grateful to the Vestry and to the Search Committees who served during our transition.They have worked tirelessly in this search. We are grateful to you, our Siblings in Christ, as we were guided along this way by the vision you expressed at the Day of Discovery in February 2023. Please, take the time to express your gratitude to your Vestry and Search Committees.
We have also been enormously blessed by our Interim Rector, the Reverend Alison Lee, who has provided transformative leadership, spiritual counsel, and boundless energy to Epiphany over the past three years.
As we complete the transition process, we will celebrate Rev. Alison's time with us and plan for Rev. Shane's arrival. Look for more information about both! Until then, please continue to remember both Rev. Alison and the Carlson family in your prayers.
Yours in Christ,
The Vestry of Epiphany
Celisa Manly, Senior Warden; Karen Parsons, Junior Warden; Joan Stoner, Treasurer; Sara Dechter, Clerk of the Vestry; Sara Coverstone, Bryce Doty, Logan Martin, Madeline Nash, John Nystedt, Beth Otterstein, Brenda Roubal, Jim Swift, and John Timar. We also thank all Vestry members whose terms have now ended, but who served during Transition: John Andrews, Mary Kephart, Lou Klejbuk, Marj Lacy, Sriyanthi Gunewardena, Nick Lyndon, and Jan Stalcup.
The Epiphany Search Committees: Kathy Paleski, Chairperson.
Serving in 2024: Katy Brewer, Rebecca Cirzan, Tim Hinderliter, Jeanette Macauley, Taiya Quinlan.
Serving in 2023: John Cardani, Aaron Cirzan, Jeff Hall, Jeanette Macauley, and Vaughan Winborne.
