The Wardens and Vestry of St. James are excited to announce that the Reverend Joseph G. Butler has been appointed as Priest-in-Charge* to St. James by Bishop Mark Bourlakas, with the unanimous consent of the Vestry. Father Joseph+ will be joining us in August 2024**.
Father Joseph+ impressed us with his warmth, intelligence, energy and dedication to the needs of his parishioners, as well as the community at-large. He is currently serving as Interim Rector at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Harrisonburg, VA (2022-present). Previously, Father Joseph+ served as curate and Associate Rector at Christ Episcopal Church, Blacksburg, VA (2019-2022), and Associate Rector at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Collierville, TN (2018-2019).
Father Joseph+ holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with a Minor in History (2014) from The University of the South and a Master of Divinity (2018) from The University of the South School of Theology.
Father Joseph’s spouse, Katherine Mustafa, DO, will be working at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital as an endocrinologist. We are so excited to welcome Father Joseph+ and Katherine to St. James in August 2024.
*A Priest-in-Charge has all of the responsibilities and authority of a rector and is eligible to be called as rector at the conclusion of the agreed upon contract period, which in this case is 2 years. An interim priest assists a parish in the transition and search for a rector; however, the authority within the parish lies with the wardens and the vestry. The interim priest may not be called as rector at the conclusion of the contract period.
**Father Joseph+ is committed to his current parish through June 2024. His wife, Katherine will complete her fellowship in endocrinology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in June 2024. They plan to move to Roanoke, VA shortly thereafter.
The following links provide access to Father Joseph’s sermons on his personal website:
https://revjosephbutlersermon.com/ (Homepage)
https://revjosephbutlersermon.com/sermons-2/ (Directly to Sermons)
To view the livestream of the services of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Harrisonburg on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@EmmanuelEpiscopalHarrisonburg