My name is Paul Bennett and it is my honor and pleasure to serve as the 17th Rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. I am supported by my wife, our two young children and chocolate lab. We came to Maryland by way of West Virginia, where we both grew up and my adult son and granddaughter still live.
I was raised in the Episcopal tradition and came back to the church in 2003. That same year I earned my undergraduate degree from West Virginia University in Environmental Geoscience. Some years later, I would return to school and graduate with my Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary.
As the priest at St. Mary’s, I strive to welcome all people. If I have fallen short or could do better in honoring you and where you are along your path, please feel free to speak with me.
I have a passion for the outdoors, running, painting, gaming and watching movies with my family. The ministry that feeds me tends to be geared towards youth, end of life, harm reduction and LGTBQ+ inclusion. Liturgically speaking I tend to be more traditional with a preference towards intergeneration participation with a heart for the old “bells and smells”.
While I am a priest in the Episcopal tradition, I also have a 30+ year mediation practice, and I host our “coffee and contemplation” as an extension of that practice.
I hope that you find our parish to be a loving, Christ centered, oasis from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Whether it is for worship on Sunday, AA Monday and Friday or Yoga on Thursday, I hope you find a way to connect to God here at St. Mary’s.
