Farewell from Anne Alexis | St. Martin-in-the-Fields

Anne Alexis writes:

Beloved St. Martin’s,Today I write to share that my time with all of you as your Minister for Children, Youth & Families is coming to a close as I prepare for my first year at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA. My final Sunday with you is this upcoming Sunday, July 9. I do hope to see you at one of our worship services and/or at the Reception following the 10:30 service.

My time here among all of you has been nothing short of transformative in my understanding of faith, community, God, and myself. Your unyielding warmth, compassion, and prayers have meant so much to me and to my partner, Cole (who you also welcomed with open arms). I am so blessed to have broken bread with you, shared coffee with you, laughed and cried with you, navigated a pandemic with you, worshiped with you, and love(d) you.

While I was in Israel, I had the great privilege of sharing stories with my fellow pilgrims about the marvel that is St. Martin’s: Your immediate, unapologetic, and ongoing faith-filled response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year; your ability to truly be active participants in one another’s “villages”; your grace and prayers through the transition process. St. Martin’s, your love for each other – intentional, purposeful, Christ-centered love – in a world that is full of contempt, hatred, and fear of the other is a living, breathing miracle. This community makes me proud, and serves as one of many reminders of why I am pursuing ordination to the priesthood.

St. Martin’s, my heart is filled with gratitude for you all. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge my gratitude to the staff who have borne witness to me at my best and my worst, the vestry for their support of my call, the Under God leadership team, and to the many families who care so deeply about their children’s faith. You have stretched me, challenged me, empowered my voice, and grown with me. Though it is time to move on, St. Martin’s, you will have an eternal place in my heart.

You all will remain in my prayers through your own rector discernment process. I cannot wait to stop home around Christmas and catch up with you. In the meantime, please keep the Virginia Theological Seminary Class of 2026 in your prayers. We will need them.

Thank you to the most amazing staff. Thank you to Jim, Laura, and Barbara. Thank you to each and every one of you.

Gratefully,

Anne Alexis Harra