Pastoral Care Leadership Transition Announcement

Author:
November 13, 2025

November 14, 2025

Beloveds,

One of the most important things we do as a community of faith is take care of one another. Pastoral care at St. Paul’s is varied, complicated, and nuanced—it takes many hands, hearts, and voices to ensure that each of us comes into the nearer reach of God’s loving embrace.

Over the past year, Debbie Butcher has served as a steady bridge in this essential ministry. With compassion and clarity, she stepped in to help guide our pastoral care efforts during a season of transition, helping us grow more intentional and connected in our care for one another. Debbie has discerned that now is the right time for her to step away from this leadership role. We are deeply grateful for her service.

In a recent message to the Pastoral Care Team, Debbie reflected:
“It has been my privilege to serve in this role over the past year. I’ve seen the quiet holiness of this community—the way you show up with casseroles, prayers, and presence. Thank you for letting me be part of the tender work of bearing each other’s burdens.”

As Debbie steps back, we are glad to welcome Deacon Tracy Anderson into the role of leading our pastoral care ministry. Deacon Tracy brings a warm and wise spirit, deep experience in walking with others through life’s hardest and holiest moments, and a heart that beats with the love of Christ. She shares: “Pastoral care is the heartbeat of a Christian community. I am honored to serve in this role and look forward to helping our cathedral family continue to care deeply and faithfully for one another.”

Please note that Deacon Gerald Butcher remains with us as our beloved semi-retired deacon, and his presence and role at the cathedral will remain unchanged.

Together, let us give thanks for Debbie’s faithful work, for Deacon Tracy’s willingness to lead us forward, and for the ongoing, shared call we all carry: to love one another as Christ has loved us. This is the work of the whole church: if you have time, compassion, and love to share, please reach out to Deacon Tracy.

With gratitude,

The Very Reverend Katie Churchwell
Dean, St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral

 

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