The Rev. E. Clifford Cutler and his wife, Amy.

by Barbara Sherf

The Rev. E. Clifford Cutler, who has served for 13 years as rector of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill, will be honored April 7 at a Center for Contemporary Mysticism dinner.

Cutler, who is generally full of laughter and smiles, said he believes it’s been his sense of humor that has gotten him through a host of issues that he has written about in two books and for this publication – from homelessness, opioid deaths, sexual infidelity, gun control, climate change to protesting at Standing Rock, a trip to Israel, race relations and so much more.

“In the Episcopal tradition priesthood is apostolic, a word that means ‘sent,’” said Cutler, who also served as a vicar at Saint Luke’s Church in Kensington. “I believe that I was sent to Saint Stephen’s back in the mid-80s to help that community heal. I also feel I was sent here to Saint Paul’s when the previous rector was asked to leave.”

His accomplishments at Saint Paul's are equally impressive: surpassing a Capitol Campaign goal reaching $1.9 million to make repairs to the church, developing the idea of overseeing the installment of an indoor labyrinth, putting resources into a 40-plus person choir, welcoming the LGBT community and diversity into the church and serving as president of the Center for Contemporary Mysticism (CCM), which he helped to found in October 2013.

Cutler, along with parishioners Joseph Irwin and Ken Class, joined forces to develop CCM as a community for those who wish to better understand the spiritual and mystical dimensions of life, to offer tools and resources for those interested in deepening these aspects of their own lives, and finally to be a “safe forum” for those who have personally experienced unusual occurrences.

“The Center obviously hit a need and draws people from all faiths and backgrounds from across the city and region,” said Cutler in a two-hour interview.

His typically behind-the-scenes wife, Amy, talked about the rich life they have had together, but also the trials along the way.

“Of course, life in a parish is never rosy,” said Amy, who has a degree in library science.” Stuff happens that has been hard to watch him go through, and you just sort of hold on. On the positive side, we have a digital photo frame and just turn it on and watch it with trips, graduations and all of the milestones of a life well lived.”

Amy is looking forward to being an integral part of this next generation of life, and knows that Cliff will have a hand spiritually in shaping his grandson.

In the winter of 2017-18 Cutler suffered health issues from double pneumonia to polymyalgia rheumatica.

As his 70th birthday approaches on April 10, Cutler and his wife have decided to move back to Massachusetts, where he attended seminary, to be closer to family and a grandson born in December. The couple has two children. While his health has improved, Cutler expressed a desire to have on his gravestone the words “Steady as she goes” because that’s what his father, a Navy man, always said.

“It's been hard but gratifying work and Amy has allowed me to put more of myself into the work of ministry,” Cutler said. “And I thank her for taking care of me and the family when I couldn’t be as present as maybe I’d wanted to be.”

A farewell service and celebration for Cliff and Amy Cutler will take place on Sunday, May 5, at Saint Paul's. The service will be held at 10 a.m. and a reception will take place at noon following the service in the Parish Hall.

Members of the community will also have an opportunity to bid farewell to the couple at the Mystical Feast gourmet dinner at Saint Paul's on Sunday evening, April 7. This is a fundraiser for the Center for Contemporary Mysticism, of which Cutler has served as co-founder and president. The event features specialty dishes from more than a dozen area restaurants, plus a silent auction of original works from local artists. Tickets are $40 a person and may be purchased at contemporarymysticism.org