After the end of the 14-year tenure of the Rev. Brian Coleman in December 2022, the Rev. Rick Stravers began serving the congregation as first our supply priest. He was formally named priest-in-charge/interim rector on May 21, 2023. He is glad to be able to share in our life together until a new rector is found.

He is a member of St. Martin of Tours in Kalamazoo. For 20 years he served as Executive Director of Open Doors. Open Doors helps individuals and families gain housing and build lives that work for them. He retired from Open Doors in 2019.

He married his wife Laurel in December 2018. Between them, they have six adult children and seven grandchildren.
 

Before graduating from General Theological Seminary in New York City in May 1987, he worked as chief of staff for a Michigan State Senator in Lansing. He served as rector at St. Timothy's Church in Richland for ten years. 

Meditation is an important part of Rick's life. He learned to meditate from practitioners of Zen Buddhism. He supported a group of meditators at St. Martin of Tours last fall and they hope to gather for weekly meditation again this spring. "I am profoundly grateful for this practice," he said.

He loves to walk in the woods and watch the seasons unfold. He enjoys savoring poems—from the poems of ancient classical Chinese poets to contemporary English and American poets.
 

"I look forward to exploring life and spiritual practice with you," he said.  "Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you’d like to have a conversation."

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You can contact Rick at rstravers@gmail.com or leave a message for him at the parish office.

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