The Rev. Stephen Harding has accepted the call as the new rector for Grace Episcopal Church in Vineyard Haven, according to a press release. Harding was the five-year interim rector at St. Peter’s Church in Chelsea, N.Y. He also served as the disaster response coordinator for the Episcopal Diocese of New York, and as the Protestant chaplain for the New York City Fire Department.
Before joining St. Peter’s, he served as the senior associate priest at the Church of St. Matthew and St. Timothy in Manhattan, and has more than 15 years of hospital and hospice experience.
As a volunteer chaplain with the American Red Cross, he was active in the World Trade Center recovery effort. He is the editor of a disaster response manual for religious leaders in New York City, and the editor and contributing author of a disaster response training course for chaplains.
The Rev. Harding earned his master of divinity degree from the Union Theological Seminary, a master of sacred theology in spiritual direction from the General Theological Seminary, and is working on a doctor of ministry from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.
Stephen, his wife Storm, and son Theo will be living in the rectory. The Rev. Harding’s first services will be on Nov. 4 for All Saints’ Day, and an ingathering Sunday for the Grace Church stewardship campaign, “Transforming Generosity.”
