Meet Grace’s Rector
Meet Our Rector Rev. Robert Hartmans!
A letter to Grace from our newly called Priest In Charge!
Dear Grace,
As our family looks toward Asheville, there are many exciting, “new things” in our near future: a new home, new schools for Simon and Faye, a new job for Casey. We are most excited about the new thing of being among you. My priority as priest at Grace will be to connect with you, to come to know you in sanctuary, at fellowship, at meals, and in the work of ministry. I have confidence that the Holy Spirit is at work, as many have sung your praises as a community, including my dear friend, the late Rev. Dr. Helen Tester, who spoke of your deep love for each other and for your neighbors.
Casey and I were married in 2020 in a time of great upheaval and change. In the years since, we bought a home and took on new vocations. We grew by one, Simon in 2021, and then by two, Faye in 2024. We moved to Valle Crucis five days before hurricane Helene. These years of family forming have been full of change and upheaval; what has brought us through intact was the love shared by and with our community. I know that you, too, have been in the midst of a lot of change in the last many years. We look forward to this coming time of change and upheaval that we will have together in which we will come to know and love you.
Between now and when we arrive on January 11, you will move through the seasons of Advent and Christmas and we will move through this time with Holy Cross Valle Crucis. These seasons mark how our God radically and humbly comes among us in love, and they are full of expectation and hope for the new thing God is doing. During that time, I ask that you pray for us and we will pray for you, as we trust that Christ is finding a way to forge us and be with us as Priest and people in the new year.
Many Blessing to You,
Robert
