FIVE YEARS IN THE SERVICE OF GOD

            In 1998 on Holy Thursday night, the Rev. Huey Jackson Sevier, Rector of St. James Episcopal Church, Mt. Vernon, Virginia, acting with the approval of The Rt. Rev. Peter James Lee, Bishop of The Diocese of Virginia, established a new religious community in The Episcopal Church, The Servants of God.  In 2003, in the fifth year of the foundation, The Servants of God see themselves now as part of the landscape of The Episcopal Church.

             The Servants of God was established as a Christian Community as understood by the Canons of the Episcopal Church, that is a community of religious who take vows, and follow a common rule of life, but who do not receive support from the community nor necessarily live common life in religious houses of the community, nor do they undertake common ministry.

            The original concept of the community was developed by Brother Christian Williams, S.G., a resident of Manchester , NH , and the Administrative Assistant to the Rector of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Goffstown , NH .  Brother Christian wrote the original Rule of the community and with co-founder Brother Thomas Martin Little, S.G. developed the First Constitution.

             From its inception The Servants of God have been open to the leading of the Holy Sprit.  This is evident in the diverse areas of ministry in which members of the community are engaged as well as in their self-understanding of religious life and their place in The Episcopal Church. 

             The ministry of community members is one of service but apart from that members engage in such diverse activities as animal hospice, diocesan committees, pastoral ministry in local parishes, and ministry to and with persons with developmental disabilities and persons living with mental illness.  One brother is in a support and staff position of an Episcopal Seminary while another actively volunteers time and talent to his local parish.

             Growing in self-understanding brought the community to develop a new constitution, which became effective at the Spring Chapter of 2003.  It has also lead the community to adopt the Rule of St. Augustine of Hippo as a Co-Rule with the original community rule.  The Augustinian aspect of The Servants of God has become an important part of Community life.   A further change occurred when the chapter elected its first Servant General.  The Rev. Brother Richard J. Gleason, S.G. now Servant General replacing Br. Thomas Martin Little, S.G. who had been the pastor.  Brother Christian Williams, S.G. was elected Senior Brother.

             As the Servants of God move into the future they have as a goal canonical recognition by the national church.  To that end The Servants seek persons in the church who might be called by God to living Christian life in the context of a flexible religious community life of prayer and service in the world.  The community will consider interested Episcopalians who are celibate or married, lay or clergy.  If interested please contact The Director of Vocations, c/o St. Matthew’s Church, 7 N. Mast St., Goffstown, NH 03045, or email stmattsgoff@juno.com.