Thad's New Lead Minister
Join us in welcoming Thad's new Lead Minister - The Reverend Jon Dephouse! Please read below for more information:
Dear Thad’s Family,
Wonderful news! Today we’re thrilled to share that Thad’s has called our next leader: The Reverend Jon Dephouse. We're beyond excited for the energy, experience, and commitment that Jon brings to this role, and together we move forward with the Bishop’s full blessing and support. We considered multiple candidates and are grateful for the outpouring of interest from the community during this process. The considerable time, energy and prayer invested by the Search / Discernment Committee, the Board and each of you has made all the difference.
We're also very happy to announce that our own Heather Simpson has agreed to take a leadership role for our children through the end of September. Anyone who knows Heather knows what a cheerful and loving presence she brings to our community and especially to our kids. Once Heather's tenure ends in the fall, we'll be working with Jon to put a longer-term solution in place going forward for our Tiny Thad’s, Thaditos and youth.
So who is Jon Dephouse?
Jon comes to us from All Saints Pasadena where he’s been Senior Associate for Education and Formation for the last 3 years. Prior to All Saints, Jon served for 4 years as Priest Associate at St. James, South Pasadena where he developed education programming and ministries for adults, youth, and children and where he was chaplain for the Day School. At St. James he also composed music used in an alternative liturgy and worship community which he and others designed called “Sacramentum.” Before being ordained to the priesthood, Jon was the director of At Risk Youth Mentoring for Care Corps International in Pasadena. His first Masters degree is in Cross Cultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary with a concentration in Urban Mission. He also earned a Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, VA where he received the St. Georges College Jerusalem Prize, given to a student who has demonstrated commitment to interfaith dialogue.
Please join us in welcoming Jon – he will start with us on August 8th and his first Sunday service will be August 14th. For the five Sundays between Jimmy’s departure and Jon’s arrival we will have a rock-star line up of Thad’s own helping lead our worship, prayer and conversation – please come support them and each other during this time.
Huge thanks to each of you for your faith and fellowship during this transition time. Change is rarely easy but it has been, and no doubt will continue to be, a time of renewal and new discovery of the ways we can be love-spreading difference-makers in our city and the world. May we all live these coming days fully and with the knowledge that we are God's beloved children! As always please reach out to us if you have any questions or thoughts as we move forward.
With love and excitement for our next chapter together,
Lindsay & Minnow
Dear Thad’s Family,
For as long as I can remember, God has been surprising me and exceeding my expectations. Over the course of the last several days, God has done it AGAIN! I couldn’t be more pleased that Jon Dephouse is coming to serve Thad’s as priest.
I’ve known Jon for many years. He is a remarkable man, a wonderful father, a superb athlete, a deep soul, and a faithful priest. He has a bright mind, sharp wit, and a soft heart—three things we cherish at Thad’s. How blessed we are to welcome him into leadership at Thad’s. His resumé speaks for itself. He is a gifted teacher and a kind, wise pastor.
It’s so hard to say goodbye to this amazing community called Thad’s, but knowing that Jon is coming to join you gives me enormous excitement about the present/future of Thad’s. This is clearly a match made in Heaven.
Over the course of the next several weeks, Jon will be about the work of leaving his present congregation—people who love him, people he loves, a community he has faithfully served. Please add him and All Saints’, Pasadena in your prayers during this time of transition. I know you are praying for our Thad’s community, and I’m grateful for those prayers.
Love,
Jimmy
Dear Thad's Community,
A little over a year ago I sat in the back of the room at the Writers Boot Camp as a visitor to Thad's thinking what a dream it would be to be a priest in this kind of community. As an admirer from a distance for the last several years, to say that I am excited right now would be an understatement. Each of the conversations I've had with the search committee and the board have been truly sacred. It seems the Spirit has been preparing the way for this moment in ways beyond each of our understandings. While I am leaving an amazing community that I love at All Saints Church in Pasadena, I am profoundly humbled to join you in helping to write the next chapter of our life together at Thad's.
I wanted to share a special photo with you. This is me carrying my friend Jimmy Bartz on my back in a TOUGHMUDDER race in an obstacle called "The Wounded Warrior"...maybe you know him. My face says it all! More thoughts to come on this photo, but for now please feel free to let your poetic and metaphorical imaginations run wild!
I can't wait to get more acquainted with all of you. Your gifts, creativity, and love are so evident and abundant. The road ahead may not be easy, but it will certainly not be boring and we will travel it together. I love that your theme for 2016 is DREAM. How perfect. I pray that we can embrace a new dream of spreading God's love that will take us places we have not yet imagined!
With Love and Great Anticipation,
Jon