St. Stephen's gets new leader
By Joey Pitchford
Published in News on April 11, 2016 1:46 PM
Full Size
News-Argus/JOEY PITCHFORD
The Rev. Raymond J. Hanna, new rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, smiles at his desk in the church.
The Rev. Raymond J. Hanna, rector at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, loves to see things grow.
Hanna, who began his work at St. Stephen's in February, has a history of bringing people to the church. During the 12 years he spent at at Trinity Church in Mount Airy, the church saw 60 percent growth in its congregation. Hanna said he wants to bring the same kind of progress to St. Stephen's.
"I'm trying to grow us both spiritually and numerically," he said.
As much as he is concerned with the big picture, Hanna cherishes the small, more intimate interactions that he has with people as a church leader. He said that being able to guide people through trying times has been a blessing.
"You get to be with people during critical points of their lives." he said. "I consider it a sacred responsibility."
Hanna considers being a healer to be a large part of what he does. In fact, he originally wanted to be a doctor.
"I took an organic chemistry class and decided that wasn't for me." he said with a laugh.
Instead, he turned his attention to religion. Hanna attended the University of the South as a religion major and later attended seminary at Seabury-Western.
Hanna said that the energy he brings to the church can help broaden its reach. He already has plans for what he would like to accomplish at St. Stephen's, including building a youth program, revitalizing Christian education and expanding outreach programs like the local soup kitchen.
He is also leading a theology discussion group, which he calls "Pub Theology," in which members gather at a local pub to have an informal conversation on issues of faith and religion. The first of these meetings is scheduled for April 13 at the Flying Shamrock pub.
Being so new to St. Stephen's, Hanna is still getting his bearings in the present while also looking to the future. But regardless of the setting, he said he looks forward to whatever comes next.
"It's a calling for me," he said. "It's never the same thing every day."