Acceptance Letter to the people of St Simon's on the Sound

“Our vocation is not simply to be, but to work together with God in the creation of our own life, our own identity, our own destiny… This means that we should not passively exist, but actively participate in God’s creative freedom, in our own lives, and in the lives of others, by choosing the truth.” Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation

I proudly accept the vocational call of the Vestry of St Simon’s on the Sound to share my gifts in ministry as your next Rector. I am especially grateful for the work of your search committee, wardens, and vestry.

The quote from Thomas Merton is exactly right. Our calling or vocation is to come together and share our own unique special gifts in ministry in order to build up the Body of Christ. God has called me to come and join your leadership efforts to do just this work in the Fort Walton Beach community.

I was born and raised in Mobile and grew up at Trinity Episcopal Church. For the past seven years, I have had the privilege of serving on the clergy staff at Christ Church Greenwich, Connecticut. And now, Cheri, Emma, Ella and I are excited to come back “home” to our beloved Gulf Coast and for this we are extremely thankful.

Clearly, St Simon’s Church has a long tradition of excellent ministry and I am pleased to team up with the countless number of amazing volunteers and staff members who make this church such a special and well respected part of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.

We look forward to meeting all of you and please keep us in your prayers as we begin our transition.

Every blessing,

The Rev’d Mark L. Fitzhugh