Dear St. Edward’s family,
While the Search Committee looked far and wide for a new rector, they found the person who fit our profile almost in our own back yard. It is an honor to introduce to you the next rector of St. Edwards: The Reverend Richard C. Bauer.
Father Rick has been serving as Associate Rector at St. James in Lancaster since June of 2018. As part of his ministry there, he has worked hard to lift up ministries in our community that promote the dignity of all people and has developed strong relationships with clergy women and men in our convocation and diocese.
Rick will soon finish course work for a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Leadership from Duke Divinity School. As a student there, he has honed the craft of ministry with work in parish administration, strategic planning, multi-media practices, preaching in politically diverse contexts and outreach ministries. In addition to his nearly completed doctorate, Rick holds a Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary; a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from Florida International University; and a B.S. in Legal Studies from Nova Southeastern University.
An accomplished musician (vocalist, guitarist, bassist, and keyboardist) Father Rick self-recorded and produced 9 full-length C.D.’s. and maintained a full-time performance schedule with “the Rick Bauer Band.” Through his Roads to Rome Productions in Hollywood, Florida, he served for 15 years as an ordained non-denominational minister, proprietor, performer, booking agent, and producer.
Father Rick’s many academic awards during his years at Virginia Theological Seminary include an award for Christian Leadership, a Biblical Language Prize, an Award and Scholarship for Academic Excellence in Theology, a Scholarship for Academic Excellence and another for Theological Reflection, and a Doctoral Fellowship for Study: Catholic University, PhD. Religion and Culture. Rick was a Florida Academic Scholar, 1993-1997 and completed his undergraduate education on a full academic scholarship.
In his free time, Rick engages his passions for study, travel, music, and family. As an extension of his graduate work in Religious Studies, he seeks opportunities to engage different cultures, and, in fifteen trips abroad has explored many of the top world UNESCO sites, Stonehenge including the Pyramids at Giza, the Vatican, the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, the Temple complexes at Angkor, and Chichen Itza.
Rick and his wife Katrina live right here in East Hempfield and are the proud parents of two sons, Richard and Christian, who attend Centerville Elementary School.
In his cover letter to the Search Committee, Rick wrote this: “While I humbly aspire to faithfully approach Christ with a commitment to life-long learning, I feel called to do so in a context that allows for the cultivation of deep interpersonal relationships. I believe that the Spirit is calling me to a vocation that allows for a greater degree of pastoral focus in ministry, where walking together in Christian community, where growing in faith and numbers, is rooted in knowing one another.”
I firmly believe that Father Rick is God’s answer to our prayer for new leadership at St. Edward’s.
Before closing, I want to acknowledge and thank the search committee; Matthew Sternberg, Dottie Gschwend, Bill Swiernik, Peter Weber, Susan Landin, Seth Hake, and Beth Lynch for their tireless work in this 15 month process. I am also deeply grateful to the vestry: Julie Hoff, Junior Warden; Bill Swiernik, Mike Freshwater, Mark Jakiel, Ellen Milligan, Dina Ishler, Ginny Kloepping, and Herb Johnston for their time and energy and for making themselves available for countless planned and impromptu meetings. Thanks also to Kevin Milligan for his financial expertise during our contract negotiations. Thank you to Father David for his experienced pastoral ministry during our transition. Last, but not least, the wise and experienced counsel of Bishop Audrey Scanlan and The Rev. Canon Dan Morrow is greatly appreciated.
Father Rick’s first official Sunday at St. Edward’s will be on April 26. I know you’ll join me in extending a warm and gracious St. Edward’s welcome to Father Rick, Katrina, Richard, and Christian.
Sincerely,
Meredith Westgate
Senior Warden