The Rev Hugh Tudor-Foley                                                    
                                           
The Rev'd Dr. Hugh Tudor-Foley has been Called by
St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Yuma to be the Intermin Rector.

The Rev’d Dr. Hugh Tudor-Foley will take responsibility for leadership in this transition time as the parish reflects on its ministry and mission before calling a new permanent rector. In the Episcopal Church this processtakes approximately eighteen to twenty months.

Fr. Hugh comes to Yuma and the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego after serving as interim rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Stamford, CT. He also served transition parishes in Vermont and New Jersey. He served as an interim at St. Matthews, Wilton, CT, as priest in charge of Christ Church East Norwalk, CT, at Grace Church in Norwalk CT and for several years as assistant to the rector of Christ Church Greenwich, CT. He also served as associate rector for administration at St. Bartholomew’s Church in New York City.

He is certified for interim/transition work by the Interim Ministry Network, and also as a Stephen Leader, Disciples of Christ in Community (DOCC) teacher, and in appreciative inquiry and as a consultant to clergy, as well as teaching parish administration and institutional change in which he holds a doctorate from Belford University.

He says, “For me, transition ministry is an exciting, challenging time. I do prefer the word transition to interim. Interim says to me, ‘Let’s just sit around and wait for something to happen’. Transition says, ‘It is a time of change, time for action, for growth, insight and a real opportunity for the parish to discover what God has in mind for them.’”

When it comes to this time in the life of a parish I think about the circus and the trapeze artists. The action really happens between the bars, and you can’t have action until you let go of the first bar. So as we let go of the old and reach for the new I find that is when transition ministry is amazing, can be joy filled and is such an exciting time rich with opportunity.”

Fr. Hugh also holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Houston, a Master’s Degree in Communication from Fairfield University and a combined Master’s of Divinity and Anglican Studies from Yale Divinity School and Berkeley Divinity School at Yale.

His wife Rebecca spends most of her time in Los Angeles, heading up LizCat Films – producing theatrical films.

Fr. Hugh’s dog, Sunday, often accompanies him to the office.

Thoughts from Fr. Hugh

When it comes to this time in the life of a parish, I think about the circus and the trapeze artists. The action really happens between the trapeze bars and you can’t have action until you let go of the first bar. So as we let go of the old and reach for the new, I find this is when transition ministry is amazing, can be filled with joy and is such an exciting time, rich with opportunity.

In addition to the usual resume information about me, I thought you might like to know some less formal stuff.

First, I love being in church. I have always thought it too bad that the words, “ I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord,” were not used as the opening words for all services.

Second, I am very much a via media Episcopalian. I have been blessed to serve with priests who have been very, very, “High Church,” very, very “Low Church,” and all points in between. I have learned from them all.

I love children – our own five children, our five grandchildren – and everybody else’s as well. I know deep in my heart how important the church (that is, you and me) is to those younger, smaller Christians who are just as important in our Lord’s eyes as they are in ours.

Dogs are important to me as well. Someone said, “God gave us dogs so we might know what absolute love is like.” I believe that.

I am a jazz fan, so it was just fine when I served in a parish only four miles from the Count Basie Theatre. I also like some country music and have a moderate collection of classical music. I play the drums, if not well, at least with gusto!

I think you will discover quickly that I like to laugh. For me, part of the joy of being a child of God is laughter.

Our time together will have its serious moments, and probably some painful ones because this will be a time of change. My title may include the word “interim.” I much prefer the word “transition.” Interim says to me, “Let’s just sit around and wait for something to happen.” But transition says, “… action, growing, learning and understanding of self, parish, and mission – a real opportunity to discover what God has in mind for St. Paul’s.”

I am looking forward to our time together. This will be the first time I write the following, but you should expect to hear these words over and over again – “We are all in this together.” I know that God will bless us in all that we do.