The Episcopal Church in Connecticut (ECCT) is pleased to announce that the Reverend Doctor Kevin Olds will be its next Canon for Congregations & Transitions.
The Rev. Dr. Kevin Olds originally hails from central upstate New York. After undergrad, he spent a few years in IT before following a call to the priesthood. Degrees from Drew Theological School and General Seminary, and work in the Dioceses of New Jersey and Massachusetts, led him to ECCT in 2017.
The Rev. Dr. Olds served as rector of St. Timothy’s, Fairfield, until its merger with St. Paul’s, Fairfield. During that time, he completed his terminal degree at Evangelical Seminary and began teaching at Kairos.edu and Sacred Heart University. Since the merger, the Rev. Dr. Olds has served as St. Paul’s Associate Rector for Formation. Alongside parish ministry and teaching, he has served in multiple capacities in ECCT including: Mentor in the Missional Curacy program, Southwest Regional Dean, and Title IV Intake Officer. His wife, Jill, is a UCC minister and they have two boys: Zack (12) and Tommy (9). In the rare moment when nothing else is vying for his attention, he enjoys watching football—the English kind, not the American kind. His favorite club is Shrewsbury Town F.C.
The Rev. Dr. Olds will begin his work at The Commons on March 25, 2025. In his first two weeks, he will work with ECCT’s interim Canon for Transitions, the Rev. Suzanne Roberts, M.D., to promote a smooth transition.
“After a robust church-wide search, it became clear that the Rev. Dr. Olds brought the right combination of gifts and experience needed in this critical role in the life of ECCT,” says the Rt. Rev. Jeffrey Mello. “His experiences serving parishes in multiple dioceses of varying sizes and resources, navigating a parish merger, pastorally working as a Regional Dean and as a Title IV Intake Officer, will all serve him well in the role. I look forward to working with the Rev. Dr. Olds as we continue to create a transition process that best serves the diversity of our parishes, while also discovering how we can best support our congregations in their mission and ministry.”
Says the Rt. Rev. Dr. Laura J. Ahrens: “I have been blessed to work with the Rev. Dr. Olds in a variety of ministries around ECCT. Most recently, he has been a wise and faithful partner in the merging parishes process in ECCT. He brings a deep understanding of the diversity of congregational life and has a passion and skill for walking with parishes as we navigate the challenges and opportunities facing the Church today. I am overjoyed to welcome him as ECCT’s Canon for Congregations & Transitions.”
“I’m excited about following God’s call into this new role,” says the Rev. Dr. Olds. “My work alongside the good folk of Fairfield, and so many congregations during my time in ECCT, has shown me the truth of John Donne’s words ‘change is the nursery of music, joy, life, and eternity.’ We are in a time of great change in the Church and the world, and I’m looking forward to engaging the work that God is inviting us do together.”