ST. PETERSBURG – St. Bartholomew’s in St Petersburg announced the call and acceptance of the Rev. Ethan J. Cole as rector. Fr. Ethan is currently the Canon for Congregational Life at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter in St. Petersburg. He will begin his ministry at St. Bartholomew’s on November 27, 2022.
“It is with great joy and gratitude that I accept the call as rector of St. Bartholomew’s,” said Cole. “My hope is to provide fresh energy and leadership for St Bartholomew’s as it strives to be a witness to the good news in south St. Pete.”
A lifelong Episcopalian, Fr. Ethan is a native of Western New York. He attended Hobart College (’00) and Harvard Divinity School (’04). After being ordained in 2004, he served churches in the Buffalo area before moving to Southwest Florida in 2014. Most recently he has served as Canon for Congregational Life at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter in St. Petersburg. Having served as a missionary in South Africa and Uganda as a seminarian, he has a focus on mission and outreach.
Preaching, pastoral care, and bible studies are particular ministerial focuses for Fr. Ethan, seeking to connect people with the transforming love of Christ. He believes that the church is called to be open, inclusive, and welcoming to all people and that the church has a responsibility to be an agent for good in the community.
Some of his personal interests include nature and hiking, birds and wildlife, travel, reading, fitness, 12 Step spirituality, and a good cup of coffee.