MEET OUR

PASTORAL STAFF

The Reverend Robert M. Lewis is the chief administrator of the church and the presider of the Vestry (the governing body of the church). Fr. Robert came to Advent in 2009.  A bilingual priest, Fr. Robert also is the driving force behind our new Spanish-speaking mission.

Fr. Robert has received an Assiciate of Arts from St. Petersburg College, a Bachelor or Arts in Psychology from the University of South Florida, and a Master of Divinity from Nashotah House Theological Seminary.  He is currently working on a Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Development from the same institution.  He was ordained to the Diaconate in June of 2007, and then to the priesthood in January of 2008.  He was born and raised in St. Petersburg and went through the ordination process in the Diocese of Central Florida.  He spent two years as Vicar of All Saints' Church, Morton, Illinois in the Diocese of Springfield.  While in the Diocese of Springfield, he served on many different commissions, as rural dean, and was even a nominee for bishop.  Fr. Robert also serves as Pastoral Liasion for Clergy Families in crisis at the behest of Bishop Howe.  He also serves on the diocesan Congregational Development Committee.

Fr. Robert has been married to his wife, Ellen K. since 2001.  They have a precious seven year old boy, Edwin.  They live in Marion Oaks.

Perhaps most unique to Fr. Robert's ministry is his stress on the catholic tradition in Anglicanism.  He strives to maintain a balance in all facets of things which have made Anglicanism a dynamic force in Christianity: sacramental, evangelical and charismatic. He stresses excellence in liturgy, excellence in preaching, and motivation of every member of the church to do the work of the Gospel.

Email him at adventrector@aol.com

The Reverend Loring Chadwick is a retired associate of Advent that has for many years served as organist and then choirmaster.  Fr. Loring was ordained to the diaconate in 1957 and the priesthood in 1958.  He attained a Bachelor of Arts from Brown University, and a Master of Education from Rice University.  He completed his theological education at Episcopal Theological School, Cambridge, Massachusetts.  He has served a variety of parishes and missions in the Diocese of Rhode Island.

Perhaps most notable for the Advent family is that Fr. Loring is a published composer.  His Mass of the Holy Spirit (1974) continues to be a favorite mass setting for Advent, and, we are told, is still in use in some missions in Rhode Island.  He and his wife, Muriel have been married since 1957 and currently live in Oak Run.  They have one grown son, Loring Jr. 

Email him at revlchad@aol.com

The Reverend Bernard Flynn, or "Father Bernie" is the newest addition to our pastoral staff.  Most recently, Fr. Bernie was the Vicar of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Silver Springs Shores (a suburb of Ocala).

Fr. Bernie received a Bachelor of Arts at Villanova University and a Master of Science at Catholic University.  He was ordained deacon and then priest in 1953 in the Roman Catholic Church.  His orders were recieved into the Episcopal Church in 1974.  He has served as a school headmaster and also in parishes (Both Roman Catholic and Episcopal) in the Chicagoland area, Kentucky, southern Wisconsin and Oklahoma.  He and his wife, Madonna, have been married since 1972.

Email him at berniemadonna@aol.com