All Saints Episcopal Church
Introducing our Next Rector
A Word from Mark Wilcox, Senior Warden
Dear Saints,
I am pleased and proud to announce that The Reverend Ben G. Robertson IV has been called to be the 10th Rector of All Saints Episcopal Church.
Ben was Ordained on December 6, 2003 and comes to us with experiences from churches in Louisville, KY, Gastonia, NC, Memphis, TN and most recently The Chapel of the Cross in Madison, MS, where he guided the congregation to increased membership and income. Ben also has experience supporting and working with an Episcopal Preschool.
He was on the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi Standing Committee, served on the Bishop’s Council of Advice and was elected to serve as Secretary in January 2022. When in Tennessee, he worked with the Diocesan Youth Coordinator on Youth events and ministries.
A graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary with his Master of Divinity 2003, he received a Bachelor of Arts with majors in History and Legal Studies from Kenyon College in 1996. In the years between college and seminary, Ben worked for two different United States Representatives as Systems Administrator and Legislative Correspondent.
Ben, born in Louisville, KY, is married to Ellen and they have two children, Anna (15) and Henry (11). Ellen has recently accepted an appointment to the faculty at Randolph-Macon College where she is part of the new Physician Assistant program.
Ben will formally begin on February 14th and celebrate his first Sunday Services at All Saints on the 19th.
Please join with me, the Vestry, the Staff and the Discernment Committee in welcoming Ben and his Family to the All Saint's Family.
Please also join with us, in person if you are able, on the 19th, which is the Last Sunday of Epiphany and appropriately Transfiguration Sunday, at either Service, to celebrate Ben's first Sunday as our Rector as we begin this new chapter together in our lives in Christ.
Faithfully,
Mark Wilcox
Senior Warden
A Word From our Next Rector,
The Rev. Ben Robertson
Friends & Fellow Saints,
I am honored to be called as Rector of All Saints. Your parish embodies and celebrates so many excellent traditions - Anglican worship and music, a vibrant preschool, service to neighbor, and being a resource to the larger community, to name just a few - and serving alongside you will be a tremendous privilege.
I am thankful for the care and work of Dan Kniffen, Anne Blackwell, and the Discernment Committee. I am also grateful to Bishop Stevenson and the Rev. Shirley Smith Graham for welcoming me to the Diocese of Virginia. And I must thank Mark Wilcox, the Vestry, and the Rev. Penny Nash for their help as we begin the transition. All y’all are great folks.
Now, as we begin to walk together, I want to meet and get to know each of you. Please sign up for a “Coffee with Ben” at ShoreDog Cafe. If one of those times doesn’t work for you, please email me at brobertson@allsaintsrichmond.org and we will find an opportunity to connect. If you are part of a retirement community, know that gatherings for you will be announced soon. And please connect with me on the social media: facebook.com/benr4 and/or instagram.com/benr4
I am excited to get started, and my family and I are excited to be part of All Saints. My first day in the office will be Tuesday, February 14 and my first Sunday will be February 19. Please keep me in your prayers, as I pray for God to continue to bless All Saints.
Keep the Faith,
Ben+