Halfway through a degree in urban sociology, Bret Hays says he felt a call to serve people a different kind of way.
A few years and a Master of Divinity degree later, Hays was ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church. Last Sunday, at the start of the church year, he led his first Eucharist as the rector of St. John's — at the age of 30.
Hays came to Gloucester from Colorado after serving at St. John's Cathedral in Denver and as an interim priest at Christ the King parish in the Denver suburb of Arvada.
He began at St. John's Episcopal Church on Middle Street as the parish bade farewell to Marcus Crapsey, its interim rector. Hays says the parish welcomed him with open arms and he wants to expand on St. John's local outreach ministries.
"I want us to focus on how we can carry out Christ's mission in this community," he said.
St. John's started its search for a permanent rector last year, said City Councilor Paul McGeary, who sat on the church's search committee.
The search began after former rector Dick Simeone retired after leading the church for nearly 15 years. McGeary said the committee chose Hays unanimously — adding that he's encouraged by Hays' background in urban ministry.
"We're looking to stretch our wings," said McGeary. "He'll challenge us."
Hays said he felt a call to the priesthood while studying at the University of Pennsylvania.
He said he was pouring over Paul's "hymn to love" in 1 Corinthians when he said he realized that being a priest was the only way his life made sense.
He said he always felt happiest in the church growing up, but never initially considered going into the priesthood. His father was ordained in the Episcopal Church when he was in high school, but following in his footsteps was the last thing Hays said he wanted to hear.
In college, he said, he was more honest with himself.
"I realized being a priest was the only way my life made any sense," said Hays. "The clergy was also the only place I felt the chance to be excellent."
When he celebrated his first Eucharist last Sunday, he said he felt confirmed in his call to Gloucester. He said the parish welcomed him warmly.
Members, he said, have a firm understanding of what it means to be a Christian. That allows him, he said, to focus on deeper concerns and reaching out to the community.
He said the Cape Ann Choir School is a solid way to start. He added that St. John's, Trinity Congregational, and the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church are also working together to create a day homeless shelter.
"The parish has so much going for it — most of all her people," Hays said. "The congregation is so faithful and dedicated and has so much energy. They are willing to take risks and combine that flexibility with a well-developed sense of identity and mission."
Steven Fletcher may be contacted at 1-978-283-7000 x3455, or sfletcher@gloucestertimes.com. Follow him on Twitter at @stevengdt.
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