The Rev. Brian Coleman

Father Brian Coleman is the Rector of St. Thomas Church in Battle Creek, serving the church

Father Brian Coleman is the Rector of St. Thomas Church in Battle Creek, serving the church
community as pastor and organizational leader. His passions in leadership include helping others
claim their God-given authority through discernment of their own gifts for ministry, and helping them experience more deeply a sense of God's call in their lives. He works with parish leaders
to shape a strategy for effective ministry development based on the parish's mission
priorities of worship, youth, and discipleship.

Fr. Brian's ministry at St. Thomas includes, among other things: pastoral care, which he understands
as being alongside people in their daily hopes and fears, sorrows and joys; preaching
as effective Christian communication, both in word and deed by helping others
(especially children) understand how the Bible relates to their lives; daily prayer,
through the public worship services provided in the Book of Common Prayer,and through
personal prayer and spiritual disciplines, including iconography; and community action
and outreach, through service, support and collaboration with local community
leaders and organizations.

His responsibilities in the wider church include participation in local ecumenical
efforts including membership in a clergy colleague group, and serving as Chairman
of the Eastern Deanery of the Diocese of Western Michigan. He is also an appointed member of the
Board of Ecclesiastical Discipline and Vice-Chair of Diocesan Council. Since 2004 he has been
a member of the Society of Catholic Priests, an international organization of Anglican Clergy
who support the full inclusion of women and gay and lesbian clergy in the life of the Church,
and whose rule of life emphasizes sacramental living and catholic evangelism.

Ordained a priest in 1999 by the Right Reverend Fred Borsch, Fr. Brian has served in urban parishes
in Los Angeles, California, and in Sheffield, England (Church of England), where he lived
for eight years. He is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton (B.A. in Philosophy),
and Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois (M.Div.). He lives with his partner
John Moore and their family includesrwo basset hounds: Belle and Bob.

In addition to many other interests, Fr. Brian sings with the Battle Creek Community Chorus,
enjoys cooking, cycling and hiking, and is a proud member of the Mug Club at Arcadia Brewery
in Battle Creek.

For more information, or to arrange a meeting with Father Brian,
please call the parish office at (269) 965-2244 or email him at brian@stthomasbc.org.
All are welcome at St. Thomas!