Timothy Safford, Rector
In May 1999, the Reverend Timothy Browning Safford was called to be the nineteenth Rector of Christ Church. His passion is for Christ Church to be accessible in worship, inclusive in spirit, and diverse in theological and ecclesiastical outlook, a safe place for believer and skeptic alike. He says, "Now, we must unleash, through God's grace, a spirit of renewal in Christ Church. We have so many new members in their 20's and 30's, finding their way in life, seeking God's presence and blessing. We will give this emergent community our most considered efforts so that we can trust the future of our church to them."
"We must never stop accounting for the truth that we are not ethnically and racially reflective of the city around us at Christ Church," he says. "We have set this goal, but not kept pace. Why? We must reclaim ou r history that in our colonial origins, we were a far more diverse church, abolitionist in spirit, and welcoming of all racial and ethnic groups in Philadelphia. What are the barriers now? If the demons of racism and elitism hover at our doors and harbor in our hearts, we must publicly and intentionally exorcise them. It will be harder for newcomers to see us as bringing the Reign of God if we don't reflect the stats on God's census."
Tim constantly encourages Christ Church to see its mission as a "public church," serving and witnessing to all who come equally and openly. He says, "We have great responsibilities at Christ Church, with a duty to respond to the needs of one pilgrim seeking God, and to preserve the legacy of a a 315 year history and our majestic buildings. A public library is always open, inviting people in, whether they want to borrow a book or not. Christ Church will be open, without condition, to those who, for whatever reason, come within our embrace."
Prior to coming to Christ Church in Philadelphia, Tim served as Senior Associate for Mission, Parish Life and Administration at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California (1988-1999), and as Curate of St. John's Parish, Bridgeport, Connecticut (1985 to 1988).
In Philadelphia, and previously, much of Tim's ministry has been dedicated to the work of outreach and social transformation, including work with the homeless, gay and lesbian ministries, those with AIDS, refugees, and with low-income housing. Here, in Philadelphia, Tim has served on the boards of Episcopal Community Services (ECS) and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania. He has served as Chair of the Diocesan Commission on Ministry. He serves as Chaplain to honorary and patriotic groups in Philadelphia and nationally.
In 2001, Tim was accepted as a Pastor-Theologian at the Center for Theological Inquiry in Princeton, New Jersey. In 2000, he was awarded the Lawrence J Mikkelsen Preaching Prize for his Sermon on the Gospel and Social Justice and Human Dignity.
Tim received his Master of Divinity from the Yale University Divinity School, and received sacred orders for the diaconate in 1985 and for the priesthood in 1986.
Just call him "Tim," and your kids can also, though "Pastor Tim" is fine, too, if more formality is desired.
Kate Spelman, Assistant Minister
The Reverend Kate Spelman was called as Assistant Minister in May of 2011 and joined the Christ Church staff on a full-time basis in July. Kate is a Delaware County native and is excited to be returning to Philadelphia after a ten-year sojourn in the Midwest and New England. Baptized and confirmed in the Diocese of Pennsylvania, Kate attended the University of Chicago as an undergraduate, where she
majored in linguistics and anthropology. She stayed in Chicago after graduation to work as a college admissions officer for her alma mater and discovered her call to the priesthood at St. Paul and the Redeemer in Hyde Park, who sponsored her for ordination. St. Paul and the Redeemer's rector is the Rev. Peter Lane, whom Christ Church sponsored in the ordination process. In 2011, Kate received her Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, and earned her Certificate of Anglican Studies, from Berkeley Divinity School. She was also named a recipient of the Mersick Prize for excellence in preaching.
Kate was ordained to the transitional diaconate in June, 2011, and anticipates ordination to the priesthood in early 2012. Her portfolio at Christ Church includes oversight of the Bridge (20's and 30's group), Christian Education for Children and Youth, and work with the LGBTQ community.
Palmer Hartl, Parish Associate
The Rev. Palmer Hartl has served as a priest associate at Christ Church since 1999. Volunteering his time, Palmer brings a rich experience from a career in management, psychotherapy, and organizational consulting.