A message from Donna Bott, Senior Warden, about Father Michael, our Priest in Charge during the search for a new rector. 

Father E. Michael Rowell, no stranger in our midst, has answered a unanimous call from the vestry to be our Priest in Charge during our interim period. Specifically, he is not only responsible for worship, teaching and pastoral care but to help us discover who we are as a parish and what we expect to become over the next five years.  Your editor asked Father Michael for a biographical sketch anticipating resume of what he’s done and where he’s been. For now this is what he wants us to know about him :

 Michael was reared in Ocklawaha, Florida. He was fortunate that his parents had a home on Lake Weir.  Father Rowell is a cracker and cannot help it. To define him has been tried by many, but the cracker keeps rising to the surface. He spent his childhood swimming, water skiing, going barefoot, with a wet bathing suit on all summer.  It was a time for him of Camelot.

Holy Trinity was a big part of his life. He was most active when Father Fred Paddock was Rector.  Father Paddock was the right man in the right place at the right time and he was Michael's first role model of a priest.  He grew up thinking every church was like Holy Trinity: Morning Prayer most Sundays with Holy Communion on occasions.  The priest wore cassock, surplus and stole.  Parish calls were a big part of Fred Paddock's ministry and he was appreciated for his efforts.  Michael has continued this model of parish calling based on Fred Paddock's example. He remembers the Wednesday services during Advent and how special those worship times were for him.  Christmas Eve at Holy Trinity was spectacular.  This service was attended by everyone in the area and 10:00 was not too early to arrive to get a seat for the 11:00 service.

Yours in Christ

  Donna Bott