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the
Rev. George D. Smith,
St. Mark's Rector
Before being called to be Rector of St. Mark's in January 2006,
the Rev. George D. Smith, 43, a lifelong Episcopalian, was Associate
Rector of Christ Church in Winnetka, IL.
Fr. Smith holds a BA in Economics from Wesleyan University
and an MBA from Northwestern University. He had a career
in business before completing his Master of Divinity studies
at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and being ordained an
Episcopal priest in 2003. He and his wife, Cecilia, have
three children and lived in Oak Park, where they had been for
thirteen years. George’s hobbies include gardening and running;
he has completed 14 marathons!
At Christ Church, George preached regularly and participated
in all aspects of parish leadership, with extensive work on
stewardship, pastoral care, youth development, adult formation,
fellowship and newcomers, worship planning, and leading a mission
trip to Southeast Mexico. His lay experience includes being
a Lay Eucharistic Minister, Vestry member, youth group leader,
and head of Buildings and Grounds.
When asked by St. Mark’s search committee what he sees as the
rewards of being a rector in the Episcopal Church, George responded,
"… the joy of exercising one’s God-given talents in answer
to God’s call; intimate involvement in baptisms, weddings, funerals
and other important milestones in people’s lives; sharing the
Good News of God in Christ through preaching, teaching, and
pastoral care; seeing lives transformed and changed in God’s
love; and the experience of forming vital and life-giving relationships
in the community of faith." His service at St. Mark's has
most faithfully matched these words.
Fr. Smith's first Sunday as rector was February 26, 2006. He
was formally installed as St. Mark's tenth rector on May 4,
2006, at a service celebrated by Bishop Persell.
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the Rev. George Smith,
Rector
Photos by Greg Schreck & Bob Cardwell
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