St. Stephen's Rector
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Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
Hebrews 13:7 

Jonathan Sams was Rector of St. Stephen's from 1991 through August 31, 2011. While ministering to our St. Stephen's community, Jonathan's personal priorities included:
  • Worship and preaching that are both fun and faithful
  • Helping people to discern their personal calling and ministry
  • Ministry to newcomers
  • Building community among diverse people
  • Music...from Gregorian Chant to the Blues
Jonathan writes regularly in his blog entitled "The Rambling Rector".  After retiring, he wrote the following reflections about St. Stephen's
  • 'On August 31, I retired after exactly 20 years as Rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Troy, MI. When my father retired as a distinguished university professor, he said this to me: "My institutional identity is ending. Now it's up to me to demonstrate if I have any other identity whatsoever." He did to me, of course, but he died before having a chance to prove it to himself. Now it's my turn. Nothing could replace the privilege of serving for twenty years among the people of St. Stephen’s, Troy. But God is not finished with us yet, and I am inclined to trust a future inhabited by the same God who has blessed us so lavishly in the past.'
Retired Rector
The Reverend Jonathan Sams
(1991 - 2011)
Our Parish is in the process of calling a new Rector to serve and love our St. Stephen's family.

Details and updates about this process can be found via the search link on the left.
Ecclesiastical Rectors

The word RECTOR ("rule" from the Latin regere and rector) has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or poitical administrator. In ancient times bishops, as rulers of cities and provinces especially in the Papal States, were called rectors as were administrators of the patrimony of the Church.  

In the Episcopal Church of the United States, the RECTOR is the priest elected to head a self-supporting parish. A priest who is appointed by the bishop to head a parish in the absence of a rector is termed a "priest-in-charge", as is a priest leading a mission (that is, a congregation that is not self-supporting).  "Associate priests" are priests hired by the parish to supplement the rector in his or her duties while "assistant priests" are priests resident in the congregation to help on a volunteer basis.  The positions of "vicar" and "curate" are not recognized in the canons of the larger church.  However, some diocesan canons do define "vicar" as the priest-in-charge of a mission; and "curate" is often used for assistant, being entirely analogous to the British situation. (ref: Canons of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, III.9.3)

Reverend Walter LaBatt
Interim Rector
Father Walt began his calling with St. Stephen's on December 1, 2011.  He is a seasoned interim and has served as the Interim Rector in several churches. He lives in Dexter, MI with his wife Judy. They have children and grandchildren who live in Michigan and a great granddaughter who lives in Windsor. Another great grandchild is expected in February.

Fr. Walt was born and raised in Michigan. He graduated from the University of Michigan. He admits that both his parents graduated from Michigan State, but U of M offered a better scholarship. He served our country in the Navy and worked in the food services business for many years. In preparation for ordination he studied at the Whitaker School and received his Master of Divinity from Seabury Western. Fr. Walt was ordained by Bishop Wood and served churches in Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri where he is still canonically resident. He retired in 2006 and moved back to Michigan three years ago.
 
St. Stephen's thanks God for watching over our parish in this time of transition and continuing to provide for our needs.