The Rev. Andrew Petiprin
The Rev. Andrew Petiprin is taking a leap of faith with his new position for the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee, but is happy to follow this call.
The Rev. Canon Tim Nunez, canon to the ordinary for the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, announced on April 3 that Petiprin has been called to serve as canon to the ordinary in the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee in Nashville. Petiprin, rector at St. Mary of the Angels Episcopal Church in Orlando since 2011, will start his new position June 1 under Bishop John Bauerschmidt.
“I am honored to serve in the Diocese of Tennessee, but also sad to say farewell to my people,” Petiprin said. “I believe this call is from the Lord, and I am happy to obey. And Tennessee is a beautiful place!”
Petiprin said he is excited about the new job for a number of reasons: “Canon to the ordinary is an exciting job and quite different from being a rector. I will not have my own altar, nor pulpit, nor my own parishioners. I will assist the bishop in building up all the parishes of the diocese, and I will be responsible for more day-to-day administration, finances and personnel matters.”
In a diocesan announcement, Nunez said Petiprin will assist the Diocese of Tennessee’s current canon to the ordinary, the Rev. Pamela Snare, for nearly a year leading up to her retirement in February 2018 before taking over the position.
Petiprin said leaving for Tennessee was not part of his plan while serving Bishop Greg Brewer in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida. While here, he worked in the diocese’s standing committee and as chair of the Clergy Events Committee, according to Nunez.
Married with two children, Petiprin previously worked in Arizona. He came to Florida as one of the area’s brightest newcomers, having been a British Marshall Scholar at Magdalen College Oxford before training for ordination at Yale Divinity School and Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University in Connecticut.
“Most of our family is in Florida, so leaving for Tennessee was not something we thought about before I was asked to consider this new position,” Petiprin said. “But my wife, Amber, and I believe it will be a great move for us and for our kids.”
An avid writer who contributes regularly to a number of publications, including Living Church magazine, Petiprin said he is grateful for his time in Orlando.
“I have had the honor to serve the most wonderful parishioners in Christendom,” he said. “Likewise, I love my colleagues with all my heart. It has been a privilege to serve under two godly bishops here and to share their ministry of the gospel.”
Nunez, meanwhile, said in a diocesan news release that Petiprin will be missed. “While we hate to lose Father Andrew, we are excited that his gifts and talents will serve the Diocese of Tennessee and the broader church,” Nunez said. “He has served St. Mary’s of the Angels, Orlando, and the Diocese of Central Florida exceedingly well.”