Rev. Vanessa Glass Takes Over at St. Francis

in Novato has found its replacement for the retired Father Phillip Rountree, who retired as priest after 27 years.

The Rev. Vanessa Glass, most recently senior associated pastor at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, has been named the new rector of the downtown Novato church, according to a church release. Her first day is scheduled to be Aug. 15.

Mother Susan Parsons had served as interim rector during the nationwide search.

Glass, who lives with her family in San Anselmo, has said she has a passion for pastoral care, faith formation, cultivating strong lay leadership and integrating spiritual life into daily living. She has 10 years of experience since being ordained in 2001 following graduation from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley. She also served as an intern at St. James in San Francisco and as an associate pastor at St. Paul’s in San Rafael. She was sponsored in her call to the priesthood by St. John's of Ross.

Glass is co-chair for the Episcopal Diocese of California’s deputation to General Convention. In addition, she is a member and the secretary of the House of Deputies Study Committee on Church Governance and Polity, and she is a mutual ministry review facilitator. A strong advocate of women’s ministries, Glass is co-founder and former convener of the Women’s Clericus.

 “Out of all the priests in our church, I regard her as in the top 10 percent,” Bonnie Anderson, President of the House of Deputies of the Episcopal Church of America, said in the church's release. “She has many gifts, and a very deep spirituality. ... Her leadership abilities will serve (St. Francis) well.”

Glass’ husband is Marin County native Michael Glass, a lawyer and a partner at the Ragghianti/Freitas firm in San Rafael. He also serves as chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. The couple has two daughters, Grace (10) and Caitlin (7) who attend San Domenico School in San Anselmo, where their grandmother has worked as a teacher and administrator for 30 years.

St. Francis began as a mission in 1948. The present church was built in 1953 in a grove of old oak trees on Fifth Street, a half block south of Grant Avenue in the Old Town area. The campus also features an outdoor sanctuary, St. Clare’s Chapel, built by the early parishioners. More recently, a labyrinth was added to the grounds.

The church is at 967 5th Street. For more information, call 415-892-1609 or e-mail admin@stfrancisnovato.com. See a video about the church at:www.stfrancisnovato.com.