Bishop Holcomb with the Sutton Family: Randall and Mother Audrey, Joselyn (12) and Scarlett (8) | Photo Credit: The Ven. Julie Altenbach

Throughout Scripture, we see God speaking to His people through visions and dreams. While such experiences may seem less common today, they still happen in powerful ways, as evidenced by the journey of the Rev. Audrey Sutton (or Mother Audrey, as she prefers to be called) and her family.

Sutton has been called to serve as rector of St. Barnabas, Deland. Her path to the new parish was filled with signs, visions and a sense of purpose she and her family could not ignore.

Last summer, Sutton and her husband, Randall, began experiencing what they described as an undeniable call toward Florida. This sense of calling manifested in various ways, from seeing Florida license plates daily to her husband, while walking their dog, having a supernatural vision in which everything around him transformed into Florida.

At the time, Sutton was serving as an associate rector at a church in Texas. She shared her prompting with her rector and a few close friends, who all began praying for the right doors to open. Through a series of relational connections, she had a discussion with the Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Smith, canon to the ordinary for the Diocese of Central Florida, who told her about an opening at St. Barnabas.

Mother Audrey serves the Eucharist during her Celebration of New Ministry. | Photo Credit: The Ven. Julie Altenbach

After an initial interview, Sutton and her husband traveled to St. Barnabas for an in-person interview, at which they both felt an immediate connection with the church community. The Suttons’ dinner with the vestry and search committee was filled with laughter and a sense of camaraderie, which solidified their sense of belonging at St. Barnabas.

Sutton was unanimously called by the vestry, and the family moved to Deland in April. Her first Sunday at St. Barnabas was May 6, 2024, and her Celebration of New Ministry took place on Sunday, June 9, the Sunday closest to the Feast of St. Barnabas. During his sermon, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin S. Holcomb brought greetings from the Rt. Rev. George Sumner, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, Sutton’s previous diocese.

“We have all confidence in great things to come in ministry with Audrey, and pray for manifold blessings of the Holy Spirit on her and you all,” Sumner said.

As Sutton looks to the future, she sees herself as a shepherd walking amid her flock, striving to connect with her parishioners deeply. This approach not only aligns with her personal ministerial values but also resonates with the ethos of St. Barnabas, who was characterized by the gift of encouragement.

“St. Barnabas was known as ‘the encourager,’ and we really live that,” she said. “The church is full of encouragers, not just for one another, but for the community.”

Sutton sees the church entering a season of rejuvenation and renewal.

(L-R) Assisting Bishop Dabney Smith, Canon Dan Smith, Bishop Justin Holcomb and Bishop Lloyd Allen gathering with visiting clergy before Mother Audrey’s Celebration of New Ministry. | Photo Credit: The Ven. Julie Altenbach

“We are all stepping into the future together,” she said. “There is a great sense collectively of wanting to do God’s will and encouraging one another along the way.”

During the new rector’s Celebration of New Ministry, Holcomb charged Sutton to do just that, reminding her that the parish needs to hear from her the good news of the gospel, not good advice. “We need you to be an example to all of us about what following Jesus looks like,” he said.

Nearly 20 clergy from the diocese attended the service, including the Rt. Rev. Dabney Smith, assisting bishop, and the Rt. Rev. Lloyd Allen, bishop for Central Florida’s Companion Diocese, the Diocese of Honduras.

“It was encouraging and overwhelming in the best way to have so many clergy present from our diocese,” Sutton said. “What a welcome! I feel blessed to be a part of this group and look forward to getting to know my new colleagues and doing kingdom work together!”

Not only is Sutton living out her calling in Deland, but she is also already using her gifts and experience to serve the Diocese of Central Florida. She co-chaired an anti-trafficking ministry in her previous diocese, and Holcomb recently named her as co-chair of Central Florida’s new Safe Church Commission (read more at this link).