Christ Episcopal Church in Bethany Installs The Rev. Elsa Worth as New Rector

Christ Church was filled with celebration on the warm evening of Sept 4 as parishioners, visitors and over 25 clergy guests officially marked the beginning of Christ Church’s ministry together with their new Rector, the Rev. Elsa Worth. The service began with a stirring processional hymn during which the clergy, all wearing red stoles, led the way into the church for the Rt. Rev. Laura Ahrens, Suffragen Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of CT. The music was provided by the church’s able new Minister of Music, John Williams, who was announced and introduced to the parish that same evening. Also featured was special men’s accapella singing group which included Rev. Worth’s husband and sons. Bishop Ahrens presided at the service, which included a special blessing of the processional cross for the church’s new weekly Children’s Chapel. In his sermon, The Rev. Tim Hodapp, Canon for Mission Leadership in the diocese, charged Rev. Worth and the parish to “bear good fruit” as priest and parish. The Venerable Jan Grinnell, archdeacon of Rhode Island, was present to serve at the altar as deacon. The Rev. Ann Ritonia of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Orange served as the Minister of Ceremonies. Following the service, the newly renovated Rector’s study was also blessed by the bishop, and the parish provided a gala reception.

Christ Church was founded in 1799 and its historic building was completed in 1810. Rev. Worth is the church’s first woman rector, and Thursday’s celebration was the first installation at Christ Church in over 30 years. Elsa Worth came to Bethany after serving as Rector at Grace Church in Trumbull. She has been an Episcopalian since 2000, after having been a Unitarian Universalist minister for 4 years. Elsa has served churches in Norwalk, Westport Dover NH, Hingham MA and Boston. For more information about Christ Church, visit www.christchurchbethany.org