The Rev. Edward Kelaher to become the next Rector of All Saints

On Tuesday, June 21, 2011, the Very Reverend Edward Kelaher accepted the call to become the next Rector of All Saints Church. Ed and his wife Patty will arrive in early September and Ed will preach his first sermon as our Rector on Sunday, September 11. Bp. Salmon’s last Sunday as our Rector will be August 14.

The Rev. Ed Kelaher is currently Rector of Christ the King Waccamaw Parish, Pawleys Island, South Carolina — and is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of South Carolina and Dean of the Georgetown, SC Deanery. The Vestry of All Saints strongly believes Ed is the preacher of traditional Episcopal theology and the proven and effective leader and builder that our parish needs, as we move from a period of consolidation and renewed growth to a period of expansion, both of our programs and our reach in the larger community.

Ed and Patty were both born in New Jersey. They met in 1972 in high school and they have been a couple ever since. Patty is a registered nurse. They have two married children, Tommy (32) and Pam (28); and a granddaughter, Kate (3).

The Kelahers moved to South Carolina in 1980 following Ed’s graduation from law school. Ed began as a sole practitioner and developed a successful law firm. During his time as a lawyer, Ed received national, state and local awards for his civic and legal pro bono activities. The time came to take the children to church and Ed, who was raised a Roman Catholic, and Patty, who was raised Presbyterian, decided to take their children to the Episcopal Church. They met Bp. Salmon, and the rest is history. Bp. Salmon received Ed into the Episcopal Church and ordained him as a Deacon in 1997 and as a Priest in 2001.

Ed was both a clergyman and a lawyer for 11 years as he served in places that could not afford clergy. Ed is still a lawyer, although he has not practiced law since 2007, except for pro bono assignments in cases involving the abuse and neglect of children. Over the years, Ed and Patty have acted as foster parents for 23 children.

Under Bp. Salmon and later under Bp. Lawrence, Ed has been asked to undertake the most difficult assignments in the Diocese of South Carolina and has done so with outstanding success. He is a leader, he is a builder, he is a listener, he is a reconciler, he is humble, he is truly a man of God who proclaims the good news of Christ crucified.

Ed is 56 years old and currently the rector of Christ the King Waccamaw Parish, Pawleys Island, South Carolina. He is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of South Carolina and Dean of the Georgetown, SC Deanery. He regularly teaches and preaches at diocesan events and other parishes about congregational development, vision and stewardship. He also does a great deal of work in the Diocese of South Carolina regarding conflict resolution, church legal issues and various financial matters.

Ed was sent to Pawleys Island in 2004 to lead the remnant of the 35 people who remained in the Episcopal Church when All Saints, Pawleys Island left the Episcopal Church, took the parish property and sued both the Diocese of South Carolina and what became Christ the King. Faced with a lawsuit that lasted several years and many broken relationships, Ed began the task of rebuilding by preaching the good news of the Gospel and using his skills of leadership and reconciliation. Today, 7 years later, Christ the King is a thriving parish temporarily operating in an attractively-renovated, former furniture store. It has 215 members and has purchased 7 acres of land on which it will build larger, more permanent facilities.

Ed previously served as Deacon (1997-2001) and Associate Rector (2001-03) of the Church of the Resurrection, Surfside Beach, South Carolina, while at the same time assisting with other parishes, as requested by the Bishop of South Carolina. During the years Patty has also been very active in church life serving as a long time Altar Guild member and Chair, Nursery Coordinator, Daughters of the King leader, a two-time Vestry member (before Ed was ordained), a Search Committee member, a youth volunteer and a volunteer in many other activities.

All Saints is truly blessed that the Holy Spirit has brought Ed and Patty Kelaher together with us. Ed and his wife Patty will arrive later this summer and he’ll preach his first sermon here the Sunday after Labor Day, September 11. Bp. Salmon’s last Sunday at All Saints will be August 14.

Go HERE for a short letter from Fr. Kelaher which describes the calling of Ed and Patty to All Saints and which, in many ways, tells you more about Ed than any biographical data could ever do.