Personal information

Job title

Rector

Biography

Michael Povey became Rector of St. James's Episcopal Church, Cambridge on August 15th 2000.

Born in 1944, and raised in Bristol, England, Michael has four sisters and four brothers who still live in the United Kingdom. His mother died on August 29, 2001, whilst his father died in 1974.

Michael's earliest Christian nurture was as a member of the Plymouth Brethren in which Church he began to preach at aged 16. He became an Anglican in 1970. Michael studied for the ordained ministry at St. John's College, Nottingham, England, and was graduated from the University of Nottingham in 1976 with the degree of Bachelor of Theology.

Michael Povey has served parishes in Massachusetts since his ordinations in 1976. He was in Fitchburg from 1976 - 80, in Chicopee from 1980 - 84, and in Pittsfield from 1984 - 2000.

On March 5th 2006 Michael Povey informed St. James's Parishioners of his impending retirement

Dear Members and Friends of St. James’s,
Since August 2000 we have stood hand in hand through many transitions. Some of these have been as folks have moved away, or joined us, or been taken from us by death. Others have been as people were joined to Christ in Baptism, or to another person in marriage. We have learned to love and trust each other in these times of change, and we have learned to pray together in times of sorrow and in times of joy.
Now we are facing another transition, which will also bring forth our love and prayer. I have made a major decision and have decided to retire from full time parish ministry, and hence from St. James’s, this summer. At that time I will also be leaving this community and moving away from Cambridge.
I had long thought that I would stay in full time ministry until my 65^th birthday, but two things became clear earlier this year. First, that I am very tired. I have been working outside of the home since aged 16. Second, that at aged 62 (in May 2006) I shall be able to take what the Episcopal Church calls "early retirement".
You should now that I have taken this decision in consultation with Bishop Gayle Harris, and with three very trusted and honest friends.
Of course I will miss you greatly. I have grown to love you in Christ, and respect you these five and a half years.
St. James’s is a wonderfully strong and vital congregation, and is spiritually and financially healthy. A new leader will help you grow into that fullness of Christ towards which we have worked. St. James’s has a wonderful future!
Members of Diocesan Staff will be at hand to assist the Wardens and Vestry in the challenging and rewarding tasks that are ahead.
I will be present for an informal gathering on Saturday March 11^th, 10:30 a.m. at St. James’s, to talk more fully with you about this, and to rejoice in the ways which God is leading you and me.
I am grateful to God for you, and for all the ways in which you have enabled me to grow in Christ. I wish God’s richest and most tender blessings upon you all.
Sincerely in Christ Jesus,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
J. Michael Povey
Rector
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
To the Resolutions Committee
Diocese of Massachusetts.
 
Title The repudiation of anti-Semitism

Submitter  The Revd. J. Michael Povey, Rector, St. James’s, Cambridge

Resolved that this Convention repudiates anti-Semitism, and be it further
Resolved that this Convention affirms our debt to, and respect of Judaism, and be it further
Resolved that the congregations of this Diocese be
encouraged to enter into conversations with  Jewish congregations in their localities, towards the end of
careful understandings of our common heritages.
 
Explanation The world wide, and local resurgence of anti-Semitism calls for its clear, specific, and un-ambiguous repudiation on the part of the Diocese of Massachusetts.
 
Against  This Diocese is already on record in opposition to racism.
 
 
 
 
                                               
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Personal Information

contact

St. James's Episcopal Church
1991 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge MA 02140
617 547 4070

History

Member for

4 years 15 weeks