Calvary Episcopal welcomes new curate

Leila Barrett Case

AMERICUS — The Rev. Ann Schaare gives an apt description of starting a new job in her chosen profession in a location and region that is totally new and different than anywhere she has previously lived.

“I am on page one in a new chapter in my life,” says Schaare, her face breaking into a broad smile as she relates to her life at present. Shchaare is curate at Calvary Episcopal Church, having been called to the position that became effective July 15. As curate, a newly created position at Calvary, she assists the Rev. Donald Hutchens, rector, with the worship schedule, preaching and celebrating the Holy Eucharist on a rotating basis. She and her husband Matthew and toddler daughter, Phoebe, have been Americus residents less than a month.

“When I was ordained as a priest my husband Matthew remarked my seminary studies were over and that chapter in my life was completed,” said Schaare. “Now another chapter is beginning and it is about my being at Calvary Episcopal and doing the work I have been called to do. I am excited to get started in meeting all the people in the church, the community and do what I can to show them my love.”

A May graduate of Sewanee: The University of the South at Sewanee, Tenn., with the masters of divinity degree, this is her first position out of seminary.

Schaare says in addition to assisting Hutchens with the worship schedule, she will be coordinating with the church staff and others on Christian education programs, as well as other programs such as pastoral care, pointing out she will be participating with Hutchens to find a balance between the responsibilities.

“Part of my responsibilities will be determined where my strength lies as a priest,” she says, admitting that she leans more toward liturgy and evangelism.

“I have a big passion for Christian fellowship,” says Schaare. “Evangelism is not so much going door to door but inviting people we know to join activities offered by the church, incorporating youth for the services and providing programs for them. I think one of our tasks is to show young people, college students and young adults with families that the church has something to offer them.”

A native of Wisconsin and a lifelong Episcopalian, Schaare, 31, says it never crossed her mind growing up that one day she would become an ordained priest much less live in the south. And admittedly she said as recently as seven years ago she didn’t even know the definition of the word curate — a position designed to give a newly ordained priest the chance to perform pastoral ministries before they are out on their own in charge of their own parish.

“It’s been a wild ride,” says Schaare describing the past seven years of discernment and study that led to her ordination and being called to serve at Calvary Episcopal in Americus.

The journey began, Schaare says, when she and her husband went on a mission trip to Brazil from their home parish in Racine, Wis., partnering with a large Baptist church. They served on what she called the Episcopal/Baptist work team. Upon their return, the couple shared their experiences with their home parish.

“As a result, we felt God calling us to a new mission in life,” says Schaare, who at the time was teaching voice lessons. Together, they decided to return to graduate school: she studied for the priesthood and her husband a teaching degree. He is presently at Americus-Sumter County High School-North Campus teaching Ninth Grade Academy students. “It has been an adventure,” she says referring to the past few years of their lives.

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin Parkside, Schaare holds the bachelor of arts degree in both music and dramatic arts. Her husband’s undergraduate degree is in dramatic arts as well, and the two met when they were college students involved in the same student production. She was acting and he was working backstage.

Schaare says their first experience living in the south is when they moved to Tennessee for her to study at Sewanee. “I had never seen cotton growing until then or realized winters were shorter and spring arrives earlier than in the north,” she said.

“We like the south and the people and we are enjoying making our home here in Americus,” says Schaare. “Everyone we meet is friendly, warm and helpful. I am looking forward to serving the parish and the community. My goal is to continue learning as I minister at Calvary Episcopal.”

Calvary Episcopal Church is located at 408 South Lee St., Americus. Office hours for Schnaare are from 9 a.m.-noon Mondays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.

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