THE REV. CRAIG SMALLEY CHOSEN AS NEXT DEAN OF THE ADVENT

The dean's search committee of the Episcopal Cathedral Church of the Advent, in Birmingham, unanimously elected the Rev. Craig Smalley, interim dean, as their choice of new dean and rector of the Advent. 

The vestry met and approved the recommendation. The Advent has been without a permanent dean since Andrew Pearson resigned as dean in May of last year. Mr. Smalley had been filling in as dean ever since Mr. Pearson's departure. He has done an admirable job of moving the parish back toward the mainstream of the Episcopal Church after the previous rectors had pushed it to the Evangelical edge, perhaps beyond the edge. Now, the parish should be able to settle down and focus on its mission.

Mr. Smalley also ends the pipeline from the lowcountry. The three deans before him had all come to the Advent directly from the SC lowcountry, mainly St. Helena's, of Beaufort, long a center of conservative criticism of the Episcopal Church.

Find the official announcement of this HERE .