Welcome Fr. Bob Hennagin - Rector's Rambling for August 10, 2024

 Today we welcome Fr. Fr. Bob Hennagin, Rector of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity in Midland, Texas (Diocese of Northwest Texas).

Last month Fr. Hennagin introduced himself to me via email.

               I was born in Highland Park and attended St. John's from the time I was 8 (that would be 1965). My parents were very involved.  My father was on the vestry, as was I many years later. Fr. Tom Frisby is still one of the most influential people in my life.  He is the reason for me pursuing my call to ministry. When I graduated from Albion College, St. John's and the diocese were not in a good relationship and members were summarily excluded from the discernment process.

I moved to Dallas, as a banker, in 1982, married, went through the discernment process, went to Seminary of the Southwest in Austin and was ordained a deacon in 1992 and a priest in 1993. 

 Fr. Hennagin is in town for his 50th high school reunion, and asked to celebrate today.  He has never had the opportunity to do so here at St. John’s, at the altar where he was formed for that vocation to the priesthood.  I am so grateful that he asked and that we could provide that opportunity for him to do so today.

A few weeks ago we had Fr. Cam Walker, our parishioner who went to seminary through the Diocese of Long Island and now serves there.  In 2010 Fr. Alex Quick did an internship at St. John’s, and Fr. Zachary Baker in 2015  did one as well as they both discerned their vocations.

In 2003 we welcomed Canon William Blewitt back to St. John’s for the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, which took place here at St. John’s were he served as curate. 

Going back to our early years, one of the first Episcopal nuns in the Community of St. Mary was from our parish, and some of you will remember Louise Sutton who tried her vocation with the Sisters of the Holy Nativity, only to have it derailed by having to come home to help support her family during the depression. She never went back, and said that not a day went by that she didn’t say her daily prayers in unison for the sisters in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

It is gratifying to hear about how God has used St. John’s to inspire men and women to ordination or the religious life, and we give thanks today not only for that, but for those God may be calling now and in the future.