St. Francis at the Point Anglican Church, Fairhope, AL Full-Time Assistant Rector Position St. Francis seeks an Assistant Rector to serve God and shepherd His people alongside the Rector. The role calls for a deep love for God and His people, a mature spiritual walk, and a life marked by prayer, a teachable spirit, and humble service. The Assistant Rector will have the expectation of becoming the rector when the current rector retires within 2 years. Candidates for the position should be ordained to the priesthood in the ACNA and candidates who are graduating from seminary could also be considered. The Assistant will be engaged with every aspect of the life of the church:
Preach and celebrate on scheduled Sunday worship services (twice a month).
Lead Bible studies, assist and/or preside at weddings, funerals, special services, and pastoral visitations.
Attend and participate in Vestry meetings.
Participate in the life of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese.
Meet regularly with the Rector.
We envision the Assistant giving particular attention to two ministry areas: Discipleship The Assistant will develop the growth groups, identifying and training the leaders. The assistant will also develop a means of discipleship for teenagers (middle school and high school). He will conduct confirmation instruction for teenagers and adults. Ministry with Younger Families St. Francis is blessed with families with small children and/or teenagers. The Assistant will give attention to their discipleship and spiritual care. This role also involves overseeing the youth ministry leader. Other ministry will be negotiated with the rector based on the gifts and talents of the priest.
Church Description Summary St. Francis at the Point is a member church of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese. We are a growing church with an average Sunday attendance of 89. We worship using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, the New King James version of the bible, and the 1940 Hymnal.
Compensation & Contact Information St. Francis offers a full-time salary and benefits. More information can be obtained by contacting the Rev. Gary Blaylock, Rector, frgaryb@gmail.com.
Church Description
HISTORY
Our Chapel, originally known as St. Luke’s Mission, was built in 1898 by local Episcopal churchmen seeking to provide a place of worship for the Point Clear community. The mission was recognized by the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama in 1900, and remained a mission served by visiting clergy. In 1917, a hurricane damaged much of the original structure but the church was immediately rebuilt the following year in the original style. The church was deconsecrated in 1954, sold, and turned over to secular use as a curio shop and craft store.
In 1984, the church was bought by Deacon Philip Stenzel and his sister, Joan Murphy. The congregation of St. Francis at the Point was founded in October 1984 by faithful Christians desiring to maintain the traditional doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Traditional Protestant Episcopal Church. The parish hall was built in 1988 to accommodate a growing church. A new church building was dedicated for worship in October 2001.
In 2012, St. Francis at the Point joined the Gulf Atlantic Diocese of the Anglican Church of North America. Our rector, the Rev. Gary Blaylock joined us in December of 2013. In the Spring of 2020, an addition to the parish hall was completed. It provides nursery space, classrooms, bathrooms, and workrooms for our active Anglican Women’s Guild.
WORSHIP
We worship using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, the New King James version of the bible, and the 1940 Hymnal. This is our worship schedule:
The Anglican Women’s Guild meets once a month at 9:30 a.m. for fellowship and is the primary outreach arm of the church. They contribute over $15,000 every year to various local and national ministries, such as the local veteran’s home, the Prodisee Food Pantry, Ecumenical Ministries in Fairhope, the Women’s Care Medical Center, Baldwin Family Village, and Samaritan’s Purse.
Children’s Ministry: We love children! During church on Sunday, we have an infant nursery, a toddler nursery and Sunday School for older children. They come to church in time for communion.
Men’s Fellowship: The men of the church meet on a Saturday of the month at 8:00 a.m. for breakfast and to discuss topics related to their faith.
Youth Group: We have a small, but active group of teenagers who meet weekly.
Healing Service: Every Wednesday a dedicated group worships together and prays for people to receive physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. This service is led by Fr. Milton.
Daughters of the Holy Cross: This is a newly formed chapter with a small group of enthusiastic women who pray and work for the kingdom.
Anglicans for Life: This is a new chapter formed in September 2023 and has about 15 people who do various life-affirming projects.
Meals Ministry: They cook meals and take them to people who are sick or shut-in.
CHURCH INFORMATION
In 2013 the average Sunday attendance was 37. In 2024, the average is 89. Our Year-to-date financials as of the end of November:
Income $335,196 Expenses $332,497
We keep over $20,000 in the operating account as a reserve, over $30,000 in investments, and have other designated funds for major repairs, memorials, and others. Additionally, we host many weddings every year in our sacred space.
The staff includes the following part-time positions: Organist/Pianist; Youth Group Leader; Parish Administrator; Bookkeeper; Sexton; Wedding Administrator; housekeeper; nursery workers; and choir positions. Another priest, the Rev. Milton Gibson, is retired and assists in many ways.