Curacy
What is a curate?
A curate is a (typically) younger clergy person who serves as an assistant to a parish’s rector (senior pastor) in order to gain experience and training under a seasoned priest.
Why do we have a curate at Redeemer?
We have become convinced that Church of the Redeemer is a leadership hub, and a robust curacy training program puts the finishing touches on a next generation strategy that includes high school, college, post college, seminary and ordained components to our church.
The heart that drives us is that there are simply not enough well-trained, formed, and equipped leaders for the American context before us, as well as for the Anglican Church. And we believe Church of the Redeemer, Lord willing, will become a major training and equipping site in the Southeastern United States.
Check out this video to hear one of our earlier curates (now our associate rector!) share about his experience and learn more about a few of our other leadership formation opportunities!
Staff
Curacy Program Coordinator
Jessie Meriwether
Primary Curacy Supervisor
The Very Rev. Canon Dr. Dan Alger
Current Curate
The Rev. Dcn. Zach Croonquist
Curate: 2023-2025
Zach began his role as curate in June 2023 and was ordained as a deacon in November 2023 As the curate there are two general components to his time and work at Redeemer. First, as an aspiring Anglican priest, he works closely with and is mentored by our church’s deacons and priests (primarily Fr. Dan and Fr. Jared) to gain experience and training under seasoned clergy. Second, Zach is tasked with the general pastoral task of gathering and caring for people and souls. More specifically, Zach has a lead role in assimilating visitors and new members into the life of the congregation and coordinating discipleship opportunities for those who are eager to learn more about scripture, theology, the Anglican way, or anything else faith-related.
Zach is also passionate about healing prayer and is delighted to come alongside you in prayer and pastoral care in whatever season of life you find yourself; he’s convinced there is nothing better than being refreshed in the Holy Spirit and spending time with Jesus, our gentle Shepherd.
Born and raised in Minnesota, Zach attended Gustavus Adolphus College, a small liberal arts college with a Swedish Lutheran heritage in St. Peter, MN. In June 2019, he graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and Religion. After a gap year serving as a missionary volunteer in Belgrade, Serbia, Zach felt the Lord was clearly calling him to further theological education and a vocation in ordained ministry. In May 2023, he graduated from Duke Divinity School with an M.Div. and certificates in Anglican Studies and Worship.
In his free time, Zach enjoys drinking coffee (bonus points if it’s at a cool local coffee shop), craft beer (especially at breweries), hiking, bingeing Netflix shows, most any activity on or around water, and spending time with friends and family. You can learn more about Zach by watching this fun interview!
We’re a part of the Pastoral Residency program with Made to Flourish!
You might be wondering what a curate is, and what they’ll do at Redeemer. This post from our archives will answer some of those questions!