Welcome
Thank you for your interest in our St. Paul's by-the-Sea Rector Search. We understand the effort, prayers and reflection necessary to contemplate a new direction for your life and ministry.
We invite you to review our St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Parish Profile. It was written with prayerfulness, hopefulness, and discerning hearts. We hope that as you learn more about our much-loved parish, you will better understand who we are, how we worship, our joys, blessings, and challenges.
If you are discerning a call to be our next Rector, know that the people of St. Paul’s-by-the-Sea are praying for you as you consider your place in our community.
May the Lord bless you and give you peace!
Who We Are
We are a welcoming parish that values our mission to express the love of Christ through an environment that engages the mind, body, and spirit, encouraging all people to make a difference through worship, education, fellowship, and community service. We seek a rector who God is calling to will assist us in deepening our strong Christian foundation to be a vibrant, diverse, actively engaged, compassionate Episcopal church community that loves God and welcomes all people.
History
St. Paul’s-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church (SPBTS) was the first religious congregation established on the coastal area east of Jacksonville—now known as “the Beaches”—bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the St. Johns River, the Intercoastal
Waterway, and Ponte Vedra Beach.
Our current Sanctuary was built in 1967 and designed by renowned architect Blake Ellis. The design received an award from the Guild for Religious Architect for its design. More recently, our SPBTS building placed 2nd among the 100 top buildings in Florida as voted by the AIA.
Our Worship
Sundays
10:00 am
Sundays
11:30 am
Wednesday
10:30 am
We currently offer two Sunday services, each with a unique style—our more traditional Rite II service is offered at 10 AM, complete with choral music and our historic pipe organ.
Our 11:30 service is typically 30-40 minutes and includes Eucharist which is accompanied by either a Steel Drum or Celtic music. The 11:30 service is less formal and appeals to young families and people seeking a more casual worship experience. Shorts and sandals are always welcome!
On Wednesday mornings we hold a well-attended Bible study called Donuts and Devotionals followed by 10:30 Eucharist with holy conversation. A service of healing is held on the 1st Wed of the month.
Ministries
SPBTS has numerous opportunities for adults and children to deepen their spirituality in intimate settings. Conversations that Matter, book studies, and support groups explore current events and theological issues to better understand their impact on our lives and our responses to them as Christians.
The Sunday Bible Study Group, led by parishioners, works with the lectionary readings for the day. The Wednesday Morning Bible Study, also led by parishioners, studies a particular book of the Bible, scriptural theme or passage, to deepen our spiritual understanding.
Education for Ministry, offered through the School of Theology at Sewanee, the University of the South, is an intensive study of the Old and New Testaments, church history and theology. This is a four-year program that meets with a trained mentor and delves deeply into the theology of the Episcopal Church.
Those examples along with Daughters of the King, The Brotherhood of St. Andrew, Advent and Lenten programs and Icon Writing provide many opportunities for adults to deepen their spirituality.
Christian formation for children and youth are equally important to our mission. Led by parishioners, the children use art, music, and discussion to better understand how the Bible relates to their own lives. The curriculum follows the lectionary cycle and liturgical calendar. Learning about the great stories of the Bible and worship in the Episcopal tradition, they practice applying Christian principles to their daily lives at home and at school.
Youth 4th through 12th also serve as acolytes. Trained as torch, cross, Gospel bearers and servers, they actively participate in the liturgy each week.
Community Service
and Volunteers
Our parishioners actively support volunteer programs in the community. SPBTS hosts the Cold Night Shelter and Nights of Compassion programs for the homeless, in coordination with the Beaches Homeless Coalition. We actively support and participate in the Mission House Feeding ministry, Habitat for Humanity, Pablo Towers for low- income seniors, and BEAM; a community program assisting low income families.
Fellowship Events
We offer a full calendar of fellowship, inviting neighbors and friends from outside of SPBTS. These include the Brotherhood of St. Andrew Annual Shrimp Dinner, our annual Fall Incredible Edibles, Oktoberfest, and youth events.
The Rector We Seek
Through a recent Parish Survey, we learned that our
parishioners want a rector who:
- wants to inspire and connect with people by sharing God’s
word through engaging and meaningful sermons.
- is willing to lead the church through a significant period of
change and share with us our full potential.
- will manage the operation of our church including facilities,
finances and staff.
- will engage with and care for the parish by providing pastoral
care to meet the needs of individuals and the congregation.
- will provide spiritual guidance and inspire financial generosity
towards our fundraising, annual giving and capital campaign.
If you are interested in discerning a call as our rector, please send your letter of interest, resume, and your OTM profile, to our search committee consultant Reverend Reid T. McCormick at Revmccormick@spbts.net;
We will then follow up with you with next steps in our search process.
We are receiving applications through 8/19/2024.
Thank You, The SPBTS Search Committee
(904) 249-4091
adminstrator@spbts.net
465 11th Ave North
Jacksonville Beach, FL
32250
Contact Us
(904) 249-4091
adminstrator@spbts.net
465 11th Ave North
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250