“My responsibility is basically to be the right hand of the bishop,” he said.
In his announcement, Breidenthal called Koepke “an extraordinary leader and priest who brings a wealth of experience from across the church. He is well-respected among his colleagues for both his keen analytic skills and zest for life.”
Before St. Paul’s, Koepke served in the Diocese of Washington, D.C., and in Western Michigan. He was chairman of the Southern Ohio diocese’s Commission on Ministry, which oversees selection and training of new priests, and served as chairman of a national board on church deployment, overseeing how clergy move from post to post.
Koepke said he will conclude his ministry at St. Paul’s on Sunday, March 27, and the church’s vestry, elected by the congregation, will form a search committee to call a new rector.
“Bittersweet would be one way to put it,” Koepke said. “I had 14 great years here as rector. There are great people in this congregation, and I’m going to miss them terribly. But St. Paul’s is in good shape, and the church always regenerates. The best things are yet to come.
“When the bishop asked me to consider this post, I was surprised,” he added. “But this will be a new type of ministry that I think I bring some skill to.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2278 or jkelley@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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