Search Process

The search process for a new rector of Holy Trinity Church, Tiverton, Rhode Island began in September of 2024 under the guidance of the Vestry. The diocese was contacted and the process discussed. The first item on the agenda was a Parish History Meeting which took place after the 10am service on Sunday, September 29 under the guidance of Canon Dena. Subsequently a Prayer Team, Profile Team, Communication Team and Search Committee were established. The next goal was to gather information for the Profile Committee. The congregation was invited to a Parish Profile Session on November 3. This was also under the guidance of Canon Dena. The committees completed their work in time for Palm Sunday where a formal announcement was made:

A Word from our Senior Warden, Alec Grande

I am pleased to announce that Kaley Casenhiser has accepted our call to become the deacon in charge of Holy Trinity Church. Kaley or K as she would rather be called, is a native of Orange, California and holds a degree in music from Pepperdine University. She will receive a master's degree from the Yale Divinity School, along with a master's degree in environmental science from the Yale School of Environment on May 18th. K is thirty years old and has been a lay assistant at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Providence for the past two years. Her ordination as a deacon will take place on May 24th at St. Martin's Church. She will begin her ministry at Holy Trinity on June 14th. I want to give a huge thanks to the search committee for the job well done. I also want to extend my appreciation to Sam Hester for his dedication and hard work as chair of the search committee.

This was followed by a letter from Kaley Casenhiser:

Dear Friends at Holy Trinity,

Blessed Holy Week to each of you! May this sacred time deepen your connection with the love of God revealed in the Passion of Jesus Christ and his beloveds who remained with him until the end.

I am writing to you with a heart full of gratitude and excitement to join the Holy Trinity family. Thank you for calling me to be the shepherd of this community and for the trust you have placed in me to serve as Deacon-in-Charge for the initial six months before becoming your Rector in the fall.

I will begin at Holy Trinity on June 14th after completing my graduate degrees from Yale Divinity School (Master of Divinity) and the Yale School of the Environment (Master of Environmental Science) and my ordination in May. I have worked in the Diocese of Rhode Island for several years and as the Sakonnet Region Community Engagement and Conservation Coordinator with The Nature Conservancy (TNC). I know Tiverton and the surrounding area well– what a beautiful place!

Throughout the interview process, I experienced firsthand the warmth and genuine welcome that defines Holy Trinity. Your Christ-like spirit of inclusivity, the deep sense of community, your thoughtful engagement with faith, and your dedication to nurturing the beauty of your parish as a sacred space for all to encounter God deeply resonated with me. Growing up on the California coast, the presence of the water surrounding your community also holds a special significance for my spiritual journey. In essence, Holy Trinity already feels like home.

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about this initial period as Deacon-in-Charge. I want to assure you that the Senior Warden, the Vestry, the Diocese, and I are already working collaboratively to ensure a smooth and supportive transition. I am hoping to visit sometime in early May to introduce myself in person, and I extend a warm invitation to you all to attend my ordination at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Providence, RI, at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 24th. Crossing this threshold to ordained ministry with you would be a joy.

As you walk through this Holy Week, please know that you are in my prayers, and I would be grateful for yours as well.

It is an honor to have been called by you, and I eagerly anticipate the time when we will be together.

In the love and fellowship of the Holy Trinity,

K.

The Way Forward

The Holy Trinity Church family is looking forward to supporting in person and in prayer the ordination into the diaconate of Kaley Casenhiser. Her entry into this special ministry of servanthood will begin her journey here at Holy Trinity Church. It is anticipated that she will be ordained into the priesthood later this year.