My undergraduate degree (a long time ago – 1980) is from the University of Colorado, Boulder in Physics. After college, I worked for a short time as a failure analysis engineer for International Business Machines in Essex Junction, Vermont. It was during that period that I walked into the Episcopal Church. I was baptized at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Burlington, Vermont.
Not long after, I decided to pursue an interest in theology and enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at Harvard Divinity School. After a year in the program and at the recommendation of the Dean of the Cathedral in Burlington, I approached the Bishop about ordination to the priesthood. The Right Reverend Robert Shaw Kerr ordained me to the diaconate on St. Barnabas’ Day, 1986, and to the priesthood on St. Anthony’s Day, 1987.
For six years, I served as the assistant in All Saints’ Church, Attleborough, Massachusetts, and then for a year as an interim priest at Christ Church, Lonsdale (Lincoln) and Church of the Redeemer, Providence, Rhode Island.
From November 1992 through July 2019, I served as rector of Church of the Advent in Crestwood, Missouri, a tenure of more than 26 years! Such a thing is a rarity in the Church these days, and I ascribe it to that congregation’s willingness to explore the depths of eucharistic theology and life with me. In August of 2019, I take the position of priest-in-charge of St. David’s Church, DeWitt (Syracuse) NY.
In May of 2012, I received a PhD in Historical Theology in the Department of Theological Studies from Saint Louis University. During my time at Advent, after receiving my PhD, I taught ethics as an adjunct professor at Eden Theological Seminary, and served as the dean and instructor of theology at the Episcopal School for Ministry in the Diocese of Missouri.
My wife and I married in 1984. We have two daughters, born in 1989 and 1992. You can find their names in the Episcopal Clergy Directory — I’m not listing them here, because I’m sure they would be mortified if anyone Googled them and arrived at this page!
Time has marched by so very fast. We at Advent care for you and your family more than you will ever know. You will always have our support and encouragement. We thank you for all that you have done for us in times of happiness and grief and for that we have learned and will learn from you.
Thanks for being a friend, teacher, counselor, and most of all a member of the Advent church family .
Hi Rev. Handschy,
My name is Candice Stone, I’m new to the Lutheran School of Theology in St. Louis board.
I’ve started a Facebook page for LST and have put the class you are doing for us at the end of the Month up on it.
I’m wondering if you would mind if I shared your blog site on event page as well.
Let me know!
Peace & Joy,
Candice Stone