On Wednesday evening, June 2, 2010, Todd Brewer was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests in a ceremony that took place at St. Peter's Episcopal Church. The Celebrant was The Right Reverend Michael G. Smith, Bishop of North Dakota, who was here from Todd's home diocese.
Photographs by Matthew Critchfield © 6-2-10
Bishop Smith ordained Todd to the diaconate last year on November 12, 2009, which is always the prerequisite to being ordained into the priesthood. Last May, Todd graduated from Trinity School of Ministry. For this ordination, The Right Reverend Kenneth Price, Bishop of Pittsburgh, was present as Assisting Bishop. Many other clergy came to support the candidate, and participate in the laying on of hands.
At the beginning of the service was "The Presentation." Standing with Todd were his mother, Laura Lee Brewer, his wife, Kelly Brewer, and The Rev. Dr. Jay Geisler, Rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, McKeesport, PA. Together, the Presenters said, "Michael, Bishop in the Church of God, on behalf of the clergy and people of the Diocese of North Dakota, we present to you Todd Hamilton Williams Brewer to be ordained a priest in Christ's holy catholic Church."
The service included Psalm 43, a reading from Paul's letter to the Ephesians [4, 7, 11-16], and Chapter 10, verses 11-18, from the Gospel of John. Harold Williams, Todd's grandfather, and Michael Prible, a friend from high school, were the Readers. The Rev. Dr. Jay Geisler was the Gospeler, and The Rev. Philip Wainwright (until recently our Rector) was the Litanist.
Todd's father, The Rev. Gregory O. Brewer, Rector of Calvary-St. George's in New York City, preached a sermon that included both fatherly advice and priestly advice, as his son prepared for the ceremony that would send him into the world as a priest of the church. That ceremony began with the Nicene Creed, and ended with the laying on of hands and the Bishop's prayer, "Therefore, Father, through Jesus Christ your Son, give your Holy Spirit to Todd; fill him with grace and power, and make him a priest in your Church."
St. Peter's parish community was well-represented, with members filling up the pews to witness the event and support the young man who would serve as our Interim Rector for the next few months. Father Brewer will be leaving September 12th, for a move to England, where he will continue his studies.
Many young people from our parish were in attendance, including David Wainwright and Hayley Whittaker, who served as acolytes for this momentous occasion. Susan Karas, currently serving as our interim organist, supplied the music, and Karen Critchfield and her son, Matthew Critchfield, sang as our choir.