The Rt. Rev. Whayne Hougland – Interim Rector

It’s an honor to be called as your interim rector to walk with you during this time of transition and discernment. Interim ministry is an intentional ministry of sustaining the direction and ministry of a congregation as defined by the vestry, reviewing the past, assessing the present, and evaluating the future. The major goal of an Interim Rector’s work is to prepare the congregation for the next phase of their life together.

I come to you having recently served as the Transitional Director of Bellwether Farm which is a 150 acre working farm in North Central Ohio. It serves as the camp, retreat and education center for the diocese. Prior to this, I served as the Bishop Diocesan of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan and as Bishop Provisional for the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan which combined consists of 100 congregations and over 100 clergy. Before being elected bishop in 2013, I served 9 years as rector of Historic St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (1753) in Salisbury, NC and began my ordained life in 1998 as Canon Evangelist at Christ Church Cathedral (1796) in Lexington, KY. Before heading off to Seminary, I worked for Lexmark International also in Lexington.

I’m a Kentucky native having grown up in the tiny town of Versailles, which sits quietly among beautiful gently rolling hills in the heart of horse, bourbon and tobacco country. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Kentucky and both a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Divinity from the University of the South, Sewanee, TN.

I have two daughters; Erin, an ordained Episcopal Priest living with her 2 sons, Ian, 8 and Sam 7 in Indianapolis and Leigha, a small business owner who lives with her son River, 6, in Grand Rapids, MI.

I have experienced a wonderfully gracious welcome from everyone at St. C’s since arriving here July 1st. Thank you! I’m grateful to be among you and am looking forward to getting to know and work with you as we discern together what exciting things the Spirit of God has in store for us.

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