St. Francis of Assisi, Gulf Breeze, calls new rector

Submitted by John Griffing, St. Francis of Assisi, Gulf Breeze

The Wardens and Vestry of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, Gulf Breeze, FL, have called the Rev. Ms. Christiana Olsen to be the sixth Rector of the parish. Bishop Duncan approved the call on 3 May 2010. The Search Committee was led by Vestry Member Herb Woll.

Senior Warden, John Griffing remarks, “God has led us to a gifted spiritual and parish leader in Rev. Olsen. She has the experience and has demonstrated the leadership skills that are needed in our Parish. Our search committee, led by Herb Woll, is to be commended for its prayerful efforts that led us to Christie.”

Olsen comes to St. Francis with extensive experience and understanding of community outreach, pastoral care, and parish engagement. She presently is the Associate Rector for Discipleship and Engagement at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas, TX. Olsen previously served for one and one-half years as the Canon for Community Life at the National Cathedral in Washington DC. Prior to leaving for the National Cathedral, she was Associate Rector for Pastoral Care at St. Michael and All Angels, Dallas.

Rev. Olsen holds a Master of Divinity Degree from the Berkley School of Divinity at Yale University and from the Yale School of Divinity. She received a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Music from Sweetbriar College in VA. Prior to following her call into the ordained ministry, Olsen worked in the Boston MA business community, where for 13 years she sang in the choir at Trinity Church on Copley Square.

Olsen was raised in Dallas, TX and Palo Alto, CA.

Olsen says of her call to St. Francis, “I couldn’t be more excited about being called to minister with the bright and faithful people of St. Francis and look forward to doing the good work God will give us, in the church, in the community of Gulf Breeze, and in the world. We are all so blessed!”

Rev. Olsen will begin her new ministry in August.