The Rev. R. Derrick Fetz, a 2000 graduate of Urbana High School, will serve as the next dean of St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Buffalo, New York (www.spcbuffalo.org), beginning in September. The Vestry, the top leadership body at the local level, unanimously elected Fetz after a series of interviews with prospective candidates conducted by an interview team.
After being asked to consider the opportunity, Fetz was drawn to the position because of the Cathedral’s commitment to making a difference in the daily lives of those who call Buffalo home, including the homeless and marginalized, its implementation of a variety of worship styles, its diversity among parishioners, its success in partnering with and attracting Millennials, its focus on inclusion and social justice, and its appreciation for choral music.
The cathedral in many Episcopal dioceses is the mother church and spiritual center of the diocese, holding many worship services and other events on behalf of the diocese. As a result, a dean of a cathedral works closely with the diocese’s bishop and her/his staff to plan and implement a variety of festivities, including major holiday services, ordinations, festivals and lectures. In addition, the dean oversees the day-to-day life of the Cathedral, its staff, and its programs.
Fetz has been rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, since 2011. During his tenure, he has worked with parish leadership to broaden and deepen formation offerings for all ages, expand ministries, diversify worship offerings, build a number of programs and connections with area churches, non-Christian faith communities and non-profits, and augment paid and unpaid leadership to strategically grow the parish, making it the largest and fastest growing parish in the Diocese of Western Massachusetts.
Prior to leading St. Andrew’s, Fetz served in the Diocese of Southern Ohio as a ministry development specialist and Vicar and Church Planter at St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church outside Cincinnati. He began his ministry as priest following his 2007 ordination by serving three congregations in the foothills of the Appalachian mountain range in eastern Ohio.
After being raised at the Urbana United Methodist Church, Fetz found his way to The Episcopal Church in high school and was sponsored for ordination by Urbana’s Episcopal Church of the Epiphany. Fetz received a Master of Divinity degree from Seabury Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois after majoring in Public Relations with minors in Political Science and Religion at Otterbein College in Westerville.
Fetz is married to Jamie, an artist, musician, foodie, humor enthusiast, chocolate lover, world traveler and massage therapist. Mari, their daughter, will be entering pre-K at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo.
Fetz comes to Urbana to visit his parents Rob and Sheila Fetz among other family members and friends.
