Welcome Reverend Ruk, Interim Priest in Charge
To the Dear Members of Christ Church:
It is with great pleasure and hope for the future of Christ Church, that the Vestry after much thoughtful deliberation and prayer has called the Reverend Michael Ruk as our Interim Priest in Charge.
As our Interim Priest in Charge, the Vestry and Michael have agreed to a three-year commitment. During this time period, Michael will be guiding our church and assisting the Vestry in its effort to discern Our Lord’s purpose for our parish. Throughout this process, Michael will remain a candidate for Rector and the Vestry will have the ability to call him as Rector of Christ Church.
Throughout the interview process, Michael was warm and forthcoming, cheerful, engaging, and full of promise and hope. He is dedicated to pastoral care, active engagement with parishioners and settling in as a member of our community from a home base in the rectory. All of our questions were answered with much reflection and insight. He is aware of the history, traditions and concerns of Christ Church and has thoughtful insights and ideas for moving forward. While he brings to this appointment years of practical experience, he also maintains a freshness and enthusiasm for doing the sacred work of the Church. He has been the rector of St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church in New Hope, PA since 2012, while at the same time presiding as Priest for 2 other parishes. He is currently Dean for the 17 Episcopal churches in the Buck’s County Deanery and serves on the Standing Committee for our Diocese. Michael brings with him a zest and keenness for deepening our own spiritual experience and increasing our parish’s involvement in both Ridley Park and our surrounding communities. We have found him to be an inspiring preacher with the ability to bring the Gospel into the 21st century.
We ask for your continued prayers as Christ Church proceeds on its journey of hope and love. The Vestry is excited for you to meet Michael and looks forward to bringing him into the wonderful place that is Christ Church Ridley Park. His first Sunday with us will be February 11, 2024, but we expect that you will see him around before then as he is equally excited to meet with all of you.
Yours in Faith,
The Vestry of Christ Church Ridley Park
Sharon M. Cotter
Nicole Bowden
Mike Barnard
Eileen Capozzoli
Earl Dempsey
Shannon Hollar
Bruce Horne
Ken Mobley
Carol Parasink
Debbie Saul
Barbara Torrens