Meet The Rev. Stephen Smith, Associate for Formation!
St. Cross is excited to announce the hiring of the Rev. Stephen Smith as Associate Rector for Formation! Stephen's first day at St. Cross will be August 11. He comes to us from St. Simon's in Arlington Heights, IL. He received his Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary and is a graduate of the University of California, Davis. Prior to seminary he worked for the Young Adult Service Corps, a mission branch of the Episcopal Church, and was stationed in Grahamstown, South Africa for two years.
We'll have a more extensive bio for you soon, but for now we bring you the famous five questions:
1) What excites you about coming to St. Cross to work?
I’ve heard so many wonderful things about the community at St. Cross from Rev. Rachel and others associated with the parish. I think the people in our lives and the communities to which we belong make a profound impact on how we come to know and experience God -- so I’m excited to work with and meet the people at St. Cross! Being just a few blocks from the beach might be pretty sweet too.
2) What is your favorite book of the Bible and why?
Wow, good question! I’m really into John’s Gospel at the moment. Preaching on John has made me aware of how the author weaves various themes and images throughout his narrative in a way that expresses deep truths that are often difficult to capture in words. I’ve enjoyed wrestling with the complexity and beauty of the author’s writing.
3) What is one of your early memories of church?
Flying paper airplanes from the choir loft into the nave. I think we did it for a church school activity, and when I was young I thought that was pretty cool. The warm and welcome environment I experienced during my childhood and throughout the rest of my life had a huge impact on me and how I’ve come to love church.
4) What is one thing you want us to know about you?
My wife and I have two cats named Dr. Waffles and Dr. Donut. They have a more active Instagram account than I do.
5) St. Cross loves a good meal. What is your favorite food?
Nothing beats a carne asada burrito with lots of spicy salsa in my book.
