The Rev. Amy Richter

It is with an enormous amount of pride and excitement that we introduce to you our new Rector, the Reverend Amy Richter. In fact, many of you already know Amy as she is the Missioner for Lifelong Christian Formation for the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland.

Says The Right Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton, Bishop of Maryland, “It is with great joy and excitement that I greet the announcement of the Rev. Amy Richter as Rector of St. Anne's Episcopal Church. Amy is among the very finest priests in the Church today, and ‘it is very meet and right’ that she should lead this historic and great parish in Maryland's capital city of Annapolis.

“God is already blessing the decision of St. Anne's and Amy to journey together in ministry, and I know that the parish will experience a new era of congregational growth and spiritual vitality under her leadership.”

Prior to moving to Maryland in December, 2006, Amy was Rector for six years at St. Paul’s in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was also the Associate Rector for five years at St. Chrysostom’s in Chicago, Illinois.

Amy has a Masters of Theological Studies degree from Harvard Divinity School and a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Seminary. She will complete her Ph.D. this Fall. Amy is married to the Reverend Doctor Joe Pagano who is the Rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Baltimore.

Amy believes that her most important tasks are to build trust, to articulate living a life of faith, to help build a vision for the future of St. Anne’s, and to raise up leaders. She is described as an inspired and creative preacher, an excellent teacher and pastor, deeply spiritual, outgoing, optimistic, positive, vibrant, tenacious and energetic. After considered and collaborative discussion on the final candidates, your vestry reached 100 percent consensus on calling Amy to be our next Rector.

Amy is excited about our rich music program, our history and place in Annapolis, and the possibilities that exist for growth. Her qualifications and proven track record exceed all the requirements set out in the original profile, namely to grow membership among young families; to build trust in Parish and Clergy; to provide dynamic preaching, liturgy and music; and to pursue community relationships and outreach ministries.

Her successes at St. Paul’s include increasing the financial stewardship by 74 percent in five years, starting a girls’ choir to include girls from all over the city especially those from low-income areas, and adding new services. She is also credited with putting strong organizational structures in place and increasing, by 50 percent within five years, the numbers of people, particularly young adults and families with children who attended her church.

It is ironic that the Search Committee searched high and low throughout the entire United States and we found our new Rector right here in the Diocese.

Amy and Joe currently own a home in Bolton Hill, Baltimore. They will rent an apartment closer to us for use until the housing market improves and they can sell their current house and move to the county.