I Am COOS

While Fr. John is away, he has arranged for Clergy to fill in at COOS.   Fr. Bob will serve the first half of the sabbatical.   Here is some information about him.

The Rev. Dr. Robert Askren, Ph.D. has served as a priest and teacher for  45 years. He came to St. John’s Cathedral as a priest associate in 2006 after his retirement from full-time parish ministry. He was Canon for Adult Education for a year at the Cathedral, and designed and implemented adult education classes for Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. He currently serves as director of the Institute for Christian Studies at the Cathedral.

Bob previously served as interim rector for two years at Trinity Parish in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and as interim rector for two years at Trinity Parish in St.Augustine, Fl. He was associate rector of Church of Our Savior in Jacksonville from 1996-2002.

Bob graduated from the University of Florida and The Virginia Theological Seminary. He is licensed by the House of Bishops  in pastoral care, and is board certified  by the Association of Professional Chaplains. He is the founder and first president of Marion County Hospice.

Bob taught philosophy for six years at South Florida Community College and taught college writing at Indiana-Purdue University. In addition to his duties at the cathedral, he is a substitute teacher in English and foreign language for The Bolles School of Jacksonville. Fr. Bob is married to Dr. Ann Askren, who teaches algebra for The Bolles School. The Askrens are Paul Harris Fellows with Rotary International. Bob is a member of the Mandarin Rotary Club.

Fr. Bob Askren served many years in the Diocese of Central Florida where he was a Trustee for The University of the South and also served as Dean of the North West Deanery in Marion County, Florida.

Dearest Parish Family,

First, I want to say how deeply grateful I am to you and the Vestry for the opportunity to take a sabbatical so that I can learn, grow, be refreshed and be the best priest I can be for this congregation. I will officially be on sabbatical on Jan. 16 and will return for Services on March 25^th. I am excited about this opportunity for me and even more excited about the great ministry that will continue while I am gone. I so appreciate each of you and the all that you do in this wonderful place.

Secondly, let me make a few comments about how things will work while I am away. Mtr. Ronnie will be priest in charge and she will bring great gifts of leadership to this time as always. The staff and strong lay leadership will continue to implement all of the activities, programs and ministries. We are blessed by many great leaders.

Thirdly, I have appointed a Sabbatical Leadership Team who will meet regularly and will oversee the functions of the parish. This group consists of Mtr. Ronnie, Joe Nuetzi (Sr. Warden), John Gates, Ron Henry, Rick Daber, Doris Latour and Sarah Stanley. This is a great team that represents many of the areas of ministry and pastoral care. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Mtr. Ronnie or Joe Nuetzi.

Finally, there will be an outstanding group of Clergy who will assist during this time:

• Fr. Ken Mosser, Pastoral care and Healing service
• Fr. John Owens, two Sunday Mornings and Sunday nights
• Fr.  Robert Askren, Sunday night, Jan. 22 and Jan. 29-Feb. 19, Sunday Mornings and Pastoral care.
• Fr.  Tim Sexton, in residence Feb. 23 – Mar 21, Sunday mornings, weekday services, Host of Wednesday night Lenten series and Pastoral care.

I will hold each of you in my prayers while I am gone. I will miss you but look forward to my return being renewed and inspired for our life together.

Gratefully,

The Rev. John Palarine

Rector