It’s my great joy to introduce you to Nathan Brasfield, Calvary’s director of youth & community ministries as of July 1. The observant reader will also note the newly combined leadership of two crucial ministry areas at Calvary. More on that shortly. Nathan comes to us with a deep theological education, with a special interest in biblical studies and in matters of food justice and ecology. He’s an engaging personality, with equal passion for community ministry and formation of youth and young adults in the way of Jesus. Who, as I recall, was constantly turning the sights of his followers toward the needs of the world around them.
When the Rev. Katherine Bush and I prepared to post an opening in youth ministry, our hope was to blend youth ministry with another aspect of Calvary’s life. Neither of us expected someone with Nathan’s experience heading up community ministries at a large Methodist congregation to apply. When he did, I reached out to Christine Todd, Calvary’s current director of community ministries, first, to talk through combining the positions, since we had been in conversation for several years about her goal of retiring when the time was right. Christine shared my excitement about the possibilities. So many young people have told me that Calvary’s relationship with our downtown neighbors in need was foundational to their formation as Christians in this place.
I can’t wait for you to meet Nathan. And I can’t imagine a person better prepared to join us in our call of making God’s love visible in downtown Memphis in this particular moment in Calvary’s life and for years to come.
Grace & peace,
Scott Walters
Rector
Hello, Calvary! I could not be more delighted to take this opportunity to send you greetings as I come to serve with you. I have been making my way to Calvary for some time. I started attending the Lenten Preaching Series and Waffle Shop over a decade ago. I found myself deeply nourished by these and other long-standing traditions of your congregation, such as your Episcopal liturgy in your historic nave and your posture of faithful service in downtown Memphis. I participated in Sunday morning services for a couple of years during an especially transformative time in my spiritual life, and ever since then, I have believed that Calvary would be a spiritual home that I return to.
I am coming to you from the congregation of St. John’s United Methodist Church in midtown and from the staff of Memphis Theological Seminary, where I have been for the last five years. I previously worked with people of various ages and circumstances while employed in a local outreach ministry at a church in Memphis, and I am eager to share in this kind of work again with all of you as I get to spend even more quality time with the younger members of this community. Thank you for welcoming me, and I am excited to meet or reconnect with you as we serve alongside each other!