The last year has been a whirlwind of activity, to say, the least for Father Andrew Petiprin.
Fifteen months after being called to serve as Canon to the Ordinary in the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee in Nashville, the former St. Mary of the Angels Episcopal Church, Orlando, rector is returning to Orlando in September to celebrate the release of his new book: Truth Matters, Knowing God And Yourself.
The Rev. Canon Dr. Justin Holcomb, Canon for Vocations, said a Key Life book release party for Petiprin will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 11, at The Cathedral Church of Saint Luke, 130 N. Magnolia Ave., in downtown Orlando. The event is free and open to the public.
“Our friend, Andrew Petiprin, has his first book being released Sept. 4, 2018,” Holcomb said. “We are having a book release party for him on Sept. 11. Andrew will give a brief talk based on the book, there will be a short time for Q&A, and then you can buy a copy of his book and have him sign it.”
Beer, wine, and hors d’oeuvres will be available at the event, which marks yet another milestone for Petiprin. An avid writer who contributes regularly to a number of publications, including Living Church magazine, Petiprin said he is grateful for the time spent in Orlando.
“I have had the honor to serve the most wonderful parishioners in Christendom,” said Petiprin in an interview earlier this year. “Likewise, I love my colleagues with all my heart. It has been a privilege to serve under two godly bishops here and to share their ministry of the gospel.”
The Rev. Canon Tim Nunez, Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of Central Florida, announced on April 3 that Petiprin had been called to serve as Canon to the Ordinary in the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee in Nashville. Petiprin, rector at St. Mary of the Angels Episcopal Church in Orlando since 2011, started his new position June 1 under Bishop John Bauerschmidt.
“I am honored to serve in the Diocese of Tennessee, but also sad to say farewell to my people,” Petiprin said. “I believe this call is from the Lord, and I am happy to obey. And Tennessee is a beautiful place!”
The Rev. Andrew Petiprin is taking a leap of faith with his new position for the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee, but is happy to follow this call. Petiprin said he is excited about the new job for a number of reasons: “Canon to the Ordinary is an exciting job and quite different from being a rector. I will not have my own altar, nor pulpit, nor my own parishioners. I will assist the bishop in building up all the parishes of the diocese, and I will be responsible for more day-to-day administration, finances and personnel matters.”
Petiprin said leaving for Tennessee was not part of his plan while serving Bishop Greg Brewer in the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida. While here, he worked in the diocese’s Standing Committee and as chair of the Clergy Events Committee, according to Nunez.
Married with two children, Petiprin previously worked in Arizona. He came to Florida as one of the area’s brightest newcomers, having been a British Marshall Scholar at Magdalen College Oxford before training for ordination at Yale Divinity School and Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University in Connecticut.
“Most of our family is in Florida, so leaving for Tennessee was not something we thought about before I was asked to consider this new position,” Petiprin said. “But my wife, Amber, and I believe it will be a great move for us and for our kids.”
Nunez, meanwhile, said in a diocesan news release that Petiprin will be missed. “While we hate to lose Father Andrew, we are excited that his gifts and talents will serve the Diocese of Tennessee and the broader church,” Nunez said. “He has served St. Mary’s of the Angels, Orlando, and the Diocese of Central Florida exceedingly well.”