Rector

The Reverend Eric Kahl

Father Eric has been the rector of St. Mary’s since July 2011. Since his ordination in 1984, Father Kahl’s entire ministry has taken place in the state of Florida and it has always been in the context of a church and school partnership. He has served as the long-time rector and school chaplain of a parish in Coral Gables, an assistant rector and chaplain of a church and school in Jacksonville. He began his ministry at Jacksonville Beach.

He has expressed his strong support for youth ministry throughout his career by serving as a diocesan youth ministry coordinator, provincial youth ministry liaison, and diocesan spiritual director for both Happening and New Beginnings, summer camp dean and by working directly with the youth of his parishes.

His belief that parish and diocese are partners in a common mission has been expressed in his service as a member of the executive board of the diocese and as diocesan chaplain to the Daughters of the King.

Father Kahl was born in Sendai, Japan, and grew up as an Army brat, the oldest of four children. He lived in thirteen different places in the first fourteen years of his life before the family settled in Tallahassee. He is a graduate of Leon High School, Florida State University and the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California.

Father Kahl writes about himself:

“I am the father of three … Abigail, Madeleine and Aidan and they are the loves of my life.

I love the Lord Jesus Christ. It is my heart’s deepest desire do all things necessary to help others come to a lasting and abiding relationship with Him who Is The Way, The Truth and The Life.

I love serving the Lord Jesus as a priest of the Episcopal Church. I am blessed when I am able to disciple, enable and empower persons with the goal that they may come to “know, love and serve the Lord”.

I am guided in all things by a biblical principle written in St. Paul’s First Letter to Timothy: “The aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith”.

Father Kahl is always available to answer questions about Saint Mary’s or the Episcopal Church in general. Please feel free to contact him at the church office – (813) 251-1660 – or through email eric.kahl@stmarystampa.com.

Please contact him in case of a pastoral emergency or urgent church business at (813) 476-5868.