Meet, Darian Wigfall, the new Executive Director of Program and Facilities at St. Paul's! Darian has a bachelor's degree in Biology from University of Missouri - Columbia, He has worked as a lab manager, youth services provider, counselor, assistant manager at Nine Network (PBS), radio host, DJ, events coordinator for KDHX, and director of operations for a music collective called Farfetched. He is also an author of two books, podcast presenter, and sits on several boards including Forward through Ferguson. Darian brings a host of connections to this position and shares a vision for leveraging spaces in the service of belonging and enrichment. Here is a portion from his letter: My name is Darian Wigfall and I am a huge advocate for our community, and healthy community as a concept and construct everywhere. I was raised in the Baptist church in St. Louis so I understand the importance church houses play and once played in the everyday lives of people across St. Louis and across the country. These days the church’s role seems to have been diminished...So, where do the spaces go that don’t have the capacity or congregations to facilitate these extra services? I think this hybrid position you’ve created, of the Executive Director in addition to the existing clergy, is a great idea to be modeled. ... I’ve facilitated all of these types of events and much, much more from tutoring to podcast and music recording, content creation and more than I can name in this short letter. I would love to also engage groups I’ve recently learned about via being a member of the Forward Through Ferguson Racial Healing and Justice Fund Community Governance Board. These groups operate in the area of the church and just need some space. I truly learned the importance of having, making and holding space for the community when I ran a venue called The Fellowship (Treffpunkt). For over a year I hosted community events from sorority reunions to music performances and even social justice action planning and preparation. These are the same ideas and activities that I would bring to St. Paul if hired and would love to see come to fruition for the church and for the community in general. ++++++++++++++++++++ We are so blessed to have such a qualified candidate accept our offer! Please pray for Darian as he takes on this new responsibility! Darian begins November 1, 2023. A NOTE FROM YOUR TREASURER, TOM SCHROEDERYou have heard that Darian Wigfall will be joining us as our Executive Director beginning Nov 1st. The addition of Darian will allow Pastor Rebecca to focus on her pastoral and ministerial duties and hand-off routine building management and other administrative responsibilities. So, how can we afford this? Darian will be working 19 hours per week, Pastor Rebecca is adjusting her hours to 15 per week. The vestry approved this arrangement because total compensation and related expenses will increase by only $171 per month. Members of the Personnel Committee who interviewed Mr. Wigfall were: Karen Watts, Laura Shields, James Ammon, myself and Pastor Rebecca. We are working to be sure that you are able to meet Mr. Wigfall early in November. His regular working hours will be times between Monday and Saturday. You will see him often at events during the week.
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AuthorMost of the blog articles are written by our Rector, The Rev. Rebecca Ragland Archives
December 2024
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