The Rev. Paul Bennett

My name is Paul Bennett and I have been selected to be the new pastor at All Saints’ Episcopal Church. I can’t wait to meet everyone in person, but for now, I thought I would give everyone a quick introduction.

I graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary in May. Before seminary, I served the West Virginia Department of Agricultural as a Regulatory Officer for thirteen years. My wife, Sarah, is an elementary school teacher. She and I have two children, Andrew (5) and Elizabeth (2) and I have an adult son, Gavin (22).

While I can’t tell you what kind of Pastor I am or will become, at this point, I can tell you a little bit about the passions I uncovered while in seminary. I believe that creativity is part of God’s movement in our lives. Whether it is singing in the choir, playing the organ, baking goodies for coffee hour, painting a portrait, or crafting with your friends at church camp, I believe that creativity is central to our spirituality. In my second year, I worked with a fellow classmate to get trained as a Naloxone trainer and developed a curriculum to train clergy on the use of Naloxone as a way to help educate clergy about opioid use. And lastly, I really love church. I LOVE worship! I can’t wait to be in the church with Justin playing and all of us worshiping in person, but I also want to make sure we do that in the safest way possible. So, I ask that we be patient as we discover the ways that we can ensure safe, responsible, and Holy worship together.

I also would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone that has been working so faithfully to continue streaming services; it is very inspiring, thank you!

And if you are reading this and are not participating with the on-line presence of All Saints’, whether it is because you don’t have internet access or simply don’t like online church, please reach out to a vestry member and we will work to find a way for us to connect.

I am looking forward to meeting you all soon. Until then, you will be in my prayers.

Your brother in Christ,

The Rev. Paul Bennett

Ordination

June 6, 2020 - Christ Church Cathedral, Cincinnati

Bishop Keneth Price ordained Paul Bennett to the Sacred Order of Deacons in Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, Saturday, June 6, 2020, at Christ Church Cathedral, Cincinnati.

On July 1, Paul will begin his tenure at All Saints’, Portsmouth, as a transitional deacon for one year, leading to his ordination to the priesthood. Paul will then serve as priest-in-charge. We are pleased to welcome Paul, his wife Sarah, and their children, Gavin, Andrew, and Elizabeth, to our community.

You may view service and the bulletin by following this link:

View the Episcopal service of ordination, here

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquillity the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were being cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.