Rev. Brian Chase Installed as Rector of Christ the redeemer, Danvers
Bishop Andrew formally installed Christ the Redeemer’s new Rector, The Reverend Brian Chase, at a beautifully prepared Eucharistic service at Christ the Redeemer in Danvers on Sunday, February 5th. Under the masterful direction of CTR’S Minister of Music, Dan McKinley, the choir ushered the congregation into the presence of God with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs that lifted up praises to God. Bishop Andrew commented, “It was very moving to have such a wonderful answer to prayer stand before you in a service of installation. With many others, I have prayed daily for Christ the Redeemer in their discernment of a new Rector. I always find it extraordinary when the prayers of all the parties sovereignly meet, and the Lord reveals His shepherd - who was praying equally hard at the other end of all our intercessions.”
Reverend Brian and his wife Amy have a previous history with Christ the Redeemer when they worshipped there during his studies at Gordon Conwell. He reflected, “It was an exciting period of time when the parish, the ADNE, and the ACNA were all in formation at the same time. I'm privileged to have been present at such a critical moment in our history.” Rev. Brian went on to plant a new parish in Canton, Ohio, and more recently, served as Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Wichita Falls, TX, a congregation with a rich history where Rev. Brian was able to invest in building fresh infrastructure for growth. Bishop Andrew remarked, “It is a joy to welcome Reverend Brian and his wife Amy into the diocesan family. It is very clear to me that Brian is a gifted and committed shepherd of strong Godly character. Both Brian and Amy have arrived with a wholehearted commitment and a deep sense of calling. They both bring strength and enrichment to Christ the Redeemer and to our shared life as a diocese.”
During the service, the Bishop paid tribute to Reverend Dr. Malcolm Reid who (with the earlier help of Reverend Dr. Ray Pendleton prior to his retirement) did a very faithful job of shepherding Christ the Redeemer through its interregnum. The Bishop’s words of gratitude for Reverend Malcolm were met with a well-deserved exuberant standing ovation.
Reverend Brian Berry (former Associate Rector at CTR and leading St. Nicholas House in Brookline, NH with his wife Jackie) is a long-term friend of Rev. Brian Chase and he was in attendance serving as the Bishop’s chaplain. He shared his gratitude and excitement for Rev. Brian’s appointment, “The installation of Rev. Brian points us toward the Gospel. Brian began his relationship with CTR during seminary when, as sexton, he swept floors, cleaned bathrooms, and served the congregation humbly, kindly, prayerfully, even joyfully. Now he has been chosen, called, and given authority to lead. In a church that honors as Lord the One who came among us as a servant – this is the way.”
Rev. Brian Chase described his clear sense of God leading him to this new appointment “If it had been any other church, we probably would not have been interested in leaving our situation in Texas, but Christ the Redeemer holds a very special place in our hearts, and as I listened to Christ the Redeemer's needs at this time, I realized that what they needed was a lot of what I had been doing already at Good Shepherd. We decided to open ourselves to God moving us in an unexpected direction and entered into a period of discernment with the rector search committee. I received a call to the parish in October of 2022 and accepted. I began in November, moved in December, and was installed on February 5. We are thrilled to be back on the North Shore and looking forward to all that God has planned for Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church.”
Photos by Ian Drummond
