Hello Letter from The Rev. Kristen Ostendorf

“I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you…” Philippians 1: 3-4

Dear friends in Christ:

It is with great joy that I write to introduce myself as your new priest at Trinity Episcopal Church, Coatesville.

I hope you are as excited as I am as I look forward to joining you this October. I currently serve as the associate rector at St. Christopher’s Church in Gladwyne and as co-founder and leader of The Clare Project, a street outreach ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania. I live in Ambler, with my spouse, Phillip Geliebter, who serves as the diocese’s archdeacon, and my two teens, Abby and Tessa. We also have a stinky rescue Plott hound named Gabe.

Trinity is the kind of parish I dreamed of serving when I was in seminary: It is clear how much you love each other, and you show the world the strength of the Body of Christ in your diversity. I also love how you seek to serve God and others in the wider community, and I am heartened by your energy for this new chapter at Trinity. It is clear to me that you have deep connections with each other, fostered by your wonderful now-retired priest, the Rev. Sherry Deets. I am grateful to come alongside Trinity as your priest. 

I am currently ending my ministry at St. Christopher’s, but I look forward to meeting and getting to know you all in the coming days ahead. I will be at Rally Day, and I look forward to introducing myself in person and building our relationship together. I cannot wait to see the “new thing” (Is. 43:19) God is doing at Trinity Coatesville, and I am overjoyed to be a part of it! In the meantime, know you are in my prayers with joy and thanksgiving.

Your sister in Christ,

Kristen