Our Clergy

A message from Mother Leslie Hague and Katie Casteel

It is with great excitement and joy that I introduce myself to you as the new Rector of St. Matthew’s Pennington. My wife Katie and I are glad that through prayerful discernment by all, I have been called to serve you. 

I have been ordained as a priest for 25 years, and it has been my privilege to serve three churches in that time: St. Peter’s in Savannah, Georgia; St. Michael’s in Arlington, Virginia; and All Saints in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Each call has strengthened not only my faith, but my talents and skills in unique ways. I hope to bring all this knowledge to bear in my call to St. Matthew’s.

My wife and I will be moving into the beautiful rectory next to the church and will be bringing our four-legged children with us: Mr. Bennett, a 14 year old orange cat; Bellatrix, a 12 year old long-haired cat; and Buffy, a 6 year old chihuahua. We are so looking forward to making our home in Pennington amongst the people of St. Matthew’s and the surrounding community.

My first Sunday will be on June 30, which will be here before we know it! In the meantime, Katie and I will be moving, traveling to Nevada (both for a mini-vacation and to see Katie’s family who lives there), unpacking, and familiarizing ourselves with the area. 

I am so eager to meet each one of you and become part of St. Matthew’s parish family. I do have an important request of all of you: it's a great help for us if you wear name tags, and not just on our first Sunday. Katie and I learn names and faces best when we can see your name as we meet. We will wear our name tags as well. People often ask what to call me. I'm great with being called Leslie. If you prefer to use a title, I prefer Mother Leslie.

Until we can be together in person, know that I am holding you in my heart and praying for the St. Matthew’s community. Please pray for us as we move. 

Addendum: It is with heavy hearts that we must revise our list of pets as Mr. Bennett peacefully crossed the rainbow bridge this past week. We’re sorry you won’t get to meet that sweet kitty boy. 

Blessings,
Leslie+ (and Katie)

rector@stmatthewspennington.org

Our Wardens

Our Staff

Vestry

The vestry is the legal representative of the parish with regard to all matters pertaining to its corporate property. Vestry members are elected at the annual parish meeting. Vacancies, if they occur, are filled throughout the year.

The presiding officer of the vestry is the rector. There are two wardens, a senior warden and a junior warden.

The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation, to support the church's mission by word and deed, to select the rector, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances.