Dear Parishioners of St. Peter's,

It is my great pleasure to announce on behalf of the Vestry, Search Committee, and Diocese of Missouri that the Very Reverend David B. Hodges has accepted our call to join us as the 16th Rector of St. Peter's. David was elected unanimously and enthusiastically by the Vestry on June 22. We believe that his love of people and his extensive experience as a priest, rector, cathedral dean, and non-profit executive will allow David to lead us boldly and confidently into the next chapter in St. Peter's history. We are grateful to the Holy Spirit for leading us to each other!

David is currently the Dean of Christ Episcopal Cathedral in Salina, Kansas, in the Diocese of Western Kansas, where he is a member of the Commission on Ministry. He previously served as the President and Chief Development Officer of The Saint Francis Foundation, a non-profit social services agency affiliated with the Episcopal Church.

David's parish ministry includes service as rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, interim rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Jacksonville, Alabama, and associate rector of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Austin, Texas and Christ Episcopal Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

David's extensive involvement with community activities and non-profit leadership includes the Salina Law Enforcement Citizen Review Board, the American Red Cross, Crimestoppers, the Disciplinary Board for the City of Salina, Hospice, and Palliative Care Center, CareNet Counseling, the Charlotte Youth Ballet, and Loaves and Fishes. David is also a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.   

David earned a Master of Divinity from the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, an MS from The University of Alabama (Criminal Justice), and is a graduate of Samford University (BS, Public Administration).

He and his wife Lisa, an attorney, have three children: Burton, who is married to Nicole, and works in economic development in Hendersonville, NC; Mary Catherine, who is an artist living in Denver; and Philip, who is an agriculture/business major at Kansas State University. David is an avid golfer, enjoys sports (especially the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Carolina Panthers), and likes bluegrass music. He and Lisa enjoy traveling and spending time outdoors hiking and walking with their two English Labrador Retrievers, Lily and Lexi.

We look forward to David and Lisa's arrival in St. Louis and being able to introduce them to you, and hope that you will join us on Sunday, September 12 for our first services together.

Faithfully,
DeWayne Trainer
Senior Warden

Read David's Letter to the Parish Here!