Grace Epiphany Episcopal Church is happy to announce The Rev. Darrell L. Tiller became the priest-in-charge at Grace Epiphany Church on Sunday, Nov. 29.

Rev. Tiller served as seminarian at Grace Epiphany in 2018. He went on to ordination on October 10.

“After having spent a year doing field formation as a seminarian at Grace Epiphany I grew to love the congregation and was excited about all of the possibilities for dynamic diverse ministry,” Rev. Tiller said. “I am drawn to the diversity of the congregation and the diversity of the Mt. Airy community at large. God's people are a diverse people and we must begin to think more broadly about inclusive ministry where everybody has a place at the altar.”

A native of Chester, Rev. Tiller is a 1983 graduate of Morehouse College, majoring in music. He furthered his studies at General Theological Seminary in New York, Boston University School of Theology, West Chester University School of Music and Howard University School of Music in Washington, DC. He received a Master  of Divinity and Diploma in Anglican Studies from the United Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia. 

He taught music in schools in Philadelphia, Chester and Wilmington, DE. before discerning a call to ministry. He last served as curate at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Rosemont. He plans put to use his musical talents and his work with children at Grace Epiphany.

“Children need to have a role to play in church life,” Tiller said. “They are the church.” 

Joining the Grace Epiphany family in the middle of a pandemic presents special issues. Rev. Tiller has some plans for keeping the congregation’s spirits uplifted with different virtual services.

“My hope is that we are able to start filming/videoing worship service from the sanctuary and release the video at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays. My goal is to begin this the third Sunday in Advent (December 13). We would film it one day during the week and it would include three readers and Priest. I would include/infuse music where it is normally in a service and if the readers are uncomfortable with coming into sanctuary, they can video themselves at home and I will edit them into the video service. This will help us feel a little more like being in worship service physically. I think this will also help us to keep focused on ministry and help us to be ready to come back when the pandemic is over.”

Rev. Tiller believes that Grace Epiphany is a church that can be a “light that shines” in the community. Engaging with neighbors, welcoming the stranger, and powerful messages from the pulpit and the people will help the church thrive.