St. Martin’s-In-The-Field Episcopal Church Calls A New Rector

The Rev. Lauren Holder began her ministry as the seventh rector of St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal Church and School on October 1. Holder comes to Severna Park after serving as the canon for community and education at the Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta, Georgia. Her experience includes service at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Atlanta and Trinity Church Wall Street, where her ministry included work in Christian formation, outreach and community engagement.

Holder is deeply committed to building community — both within and beyond the church. In anticipation of her start date, she said, “I see in St. Martin’s a growing community of faith who finds joy in following Jesus. I see a parish of ‘doers’ — showing up for one another and for people in need. I see a church eager to partner with God in writing this next chapter of life together in Christ. I am excited and grateful to be part of your story.”

She has twice represented the Diocese of Atlanta as a deputy to general convention, has served on the legislative committee of Congregational Vitality & Data-Driven Initiatives, is a past-president of the Diocesan standing committee, and has served on the boards of The Boyce L. Ansley School, Ahava Early Learning Center, Crossroads Community Ministries and Buckhead Community Ministries.

Eager to put down roots in Severna Park, Holder, with her husband, Jay, and their two children, Charlie and Lucy Rae, moved to the area at the end of August — just in time for the children to start at St. Martin’s Episcopal School. After getting settled in, Holder headed to Spain to walk the historic Camino de Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage. She joins St. Martin’s with a rejuvenated spirit, eager to begin her ministry.

Holder grew up in Lexington, Virginia. She attended Washington & Lee University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in politics with a concentration in environmental studies. She later earned a master’s degree in liberal arts at St. John’s College in Annapolis, and then a Master of Divinity at the General Theological Seminary in New York.

St. Martin’s Church and School looks forward to welcoming Holder for her first Sunday worship service on October 6. St. Martin’s invites everyone in the Severna Park and surrounding communities to join the church for worship on Sundays at 8:00am and 10:00am. The church has robust children’s, youth and music ministries. It supports the county’s winter shelter program, SPAN and Afghan refugee families. To learn about St. Martin’s Church and School, go to www.stmartinsinthefield.org.