St. Raphael’s has new vicar
Historic St. Raphael’s Church welcomes Rev. Don Nicholson as its new vicar effectively immediately.
Rev. Nicholson has spent the past month assisting at the altar after the departure of Rev. Alice Marcrum in July. Prior to Bishop Smith’s visit earlier this month, the Bishop’s Council interviewed three candidates and chose Rev. Nicholson to lead the parish as our vicar.
Rev. Nicholson’s ministry statement reads, “For me, ministry is gathering up people, hearing their stories of job and sorrow, celebrating and crying, forgiving, feeding, and teaching, and moving them out into this world that God so loves.”
Rev. Don was ordained in 1965, has a master’s degree in Theology from Berkeley-Yale, and a bachelor’s degree in education from George Washington University. In addition, he is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and has his Ocean Master’s License. He has served in the United States Marine Corp as well as the Merchant Marines. More recently, Rev. Don served as Assistant Priest at Christ Church in Bradenton and as Chaplain at Manatee Community College. He is married to Beverly Hunt and has five children, ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Rev. Don will be staying in the rectory and will be conducting services on Sundays.
-submitted by Robert Bunting