After months of negotiating with U.S. immigration authorities, Church of the Holy Child, Ormond Beach, welcomed Fr. Stephen Pessah; his wife, the Rev. Beth Pessah; and their two sons, Matthew, 16, and Nathan, 18. The Pessahs had served churches in Canada before coming to the Diocese of Central Florida.

Bishop Brewer preached at the visitation service, May 17.

“I know you are approaching this day with great relief, as you welcome Stephen and Beth,” Bishop Brewer said, adding that when churches experience the uncertainty of a protracted calling of a new rector, “It wears on you. It grates on you. It makes the tasks of the church more difficult.”

But however hard it is for a congregation to relax, “We can discover as a result all of the things that God can do. Everything about this place will move into some new focus,” Bishop Brewer said.

A note from the Rev. Stephen Pessah to the congregation:

Dear Friends:

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Eph. 3:20).

These words of Paul to the church in Ephesus have been a tremendous source of inspiration for me over the years and consequently they quite naturally find their way into this message of introduction. I say naturally because growing God’s kingdom in our lives and community demands that our focus be on the one responsible for making that growth a reality.

Of course we are required to “participate” with God in this endeavor, but in the end it is He that shows us “the way” and enables us to walk in it. My journey began in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Canada, where I was born and raised by parents who provided for me a lens through which I began to discover and explore the wonder of God within the context of the Anglican Church. I suppose my “formal” Christian journey began when, at the age of six, I committed my life to Christ at a Vacation Bible School just down the street from where I lived.

My Spiritual journey eventually led to a call to ministry which found its expression initially in the Church Army in Canada which is best known for its emphasis on Evangelism and Social Outreach. After 15 years of active service I discerned a further call into Ordained ministry which has afforded me several ministry opportunities in various Ontario locations including: Manitoulin Island, Espanola, and most recently Barrie. This of course brings me to the newest leg of my journey here at Church of the Holy Child with my wife Beth and two sons Matthew and Nathan (16 and 18 years old respectively).

Together with you, we find ourselves in the midst of transition wondering just how exactly our collective ministry will unfold. While we don’t know exactly what shape the future will take, we can be assured that as we continue to fix our gaze on Christ and walk faithfully with him, we will indeed be blessed in ways that surpass our wildest dreams.

May God enable us to embrace the full measure of his goodness that we may faithfully walk this journey together. In addition, Beth, Matthew, Nathan and I cherished your prayers as we navigated through the Immigration process. We are grateful for your words of encouragement and all the hard work of the Vestry, Search Committee and Wardens. We consider ourselves blessed to be embraced by such a loving and caring community!

Yours Faithfully,

The Rev. Stephen Pessah
Rector, Church of the Holy Child

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A Social Media Welcome

Parishioner Cathleen Hayes, on Facebook:
This was a monumental day in the life of our beloved church. Bishop Greg Brewer presided over the service as we welcomed Father Stephen and Beth Pessah. It was an honor and a privilege to serve as the Bishop’s chaplain on the special day. Our church family has waited a long time for this moment. We embrace and celebrate this new beginning. We have turned the page. The journey begins! — feeling blessed at Church of the Holy Child.

Parishioner Frank Walker, on Facebook:
I was blessed to be a prayer partner on his first day for Fr. Steve, Beth, Madelyn and Bishop Brewer with Allen Hearn. No pressure there. God gives us the words. I was completely relaxed on a very emotional day. To be able to pray for priests is such an honor and I am not worthy but I love to do it. Four or five years ago if anyone would have told me I would be doing that, I would have laughed. Before that I would have said you are crazy..what a joy that duty is. Welcome Fr. Steve and Beth!