Dear Friends in Christ,
The process to search for our next Dean has been in progress for several months. On September 5, the Vestry met with the Search committee to learn of the final candidates and since that time, the Vestry has been diligently and prayerfully discerning the call for our next Dean.
I am pleased to inform you, upon the Vestry’s recommendation, Bishop Martin Field has nominated and the Vestry has unanimously elected by acclamation, the Reverend Doctor Andrew C. Keyse of Trinity Episcopal Church located in Florence, Alabama to be the next Dean of Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral. Father Keyse has accepted our call. Dean-elect Keyse will begin his service at Grace and Holy Trinity in December.
I would like to extend my gratitude to members of the Vestry for their dedication and commitment during our Search process — especially in the last 6 weeks since we learned of the finalists the first week of September. Thank you also to members of the Search Committee for their work and dedication in selecting the final candidates. And finally, a special thanks to family members of the Vestry and Search Committee, and to the Cathedral family for your love, patience and support of all of us.
Today is a great day for the Cathedral. We have an outstanding Dean-elect in Fr. Keyse. Please hold Fr. Andy, his wife Beth and his children, Siras and Mary Mullis, in your prayers as they transition from their life at Trinity and in Florence. Please also hold the congregation of Trinity Episcopal Church, Florence in your prayers as they prepare to search for their new Rector.
In the coming days, additional information will be provided as we begin our transition to welcome Dean-elect Andy and his family.
In Faith,
Paula Henderson Connors
Sr. Warden, Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral
Meet Dean-elect Andy!
Andy grew up in the Midwest in Northern Ohio, Northern Indiana, and Chicago. He attended the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., where he met Beth, who is from Augusta, Ga., in the University Choir. Andy was graduated in 1992 with a BA in English. Following graduation Andy moved to Atlanta, Ga., where he worked in the hospitality industry and in advertising. He also sang with the Cathedral Choir at St. Philip’s. Andy and Beth were married in 1994 and remained in Atlanta until Andy transferred to Chicago, Ill., with his job in advertising.
Andy entered into the discernment process for ordination in the Diocese of Chicago and returned to Sewanee to begin seminary at the School of Theology in the fall of 1999. Andy was graduated from the School of Theology in 2002 with an M.Div. and returned to the Diocese of Chicago to be the Associate Rector of Grace Church, Hinsdale, Ill. Andy was ordained Deacon in June of 2002 and Priest in December of 2002 by the Rt. Rev. William D. Persell. Andy remained at Grace for five years and then became Rector of Trinity Church in Florence, Ala., in June of 2007, and has remained until now. In the summer of 2013 Andy began the Advanced Degree program at the School of Theology and was graduated, again, in 2018 with a D.Min. in Liturgy.
Andy and Beth have two children, both born in Hinsdale, Ill. Siras is 16 and a junior in high school. Mary Mullis is 14 and a freshman in high school. Andy and his family are looking forward to coming to Kansas City and beginning their new lives with Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral!