God has an ironic sense of humor, says The Rev. Thomas Phillips, rector at Fox Chapel Episcopal Church.
"I lived in the Southwest for 20 years because I was tired of shoveling snow on the East Coast," Phillips said. "I got called back here right in the middle of this winter's biggest storm."
Phillips took over as rector of the church along Squaw Run Road East in January, but was formally installed this week.
Phillips is the first new leader for the church in 14 years. The Rev. Bradley Wilson led the congregation from 1996 through 2008, when he resigned to return to school.
The Episcopal Church, like so many others, has struggled with inner tensions.
At least 55 parishes broke away from the national Episcopal Church of America to establish the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh in 2009 over issues ranging from abortion to the consecration of a non-celibate gay bishop
In Fox Chapel, the parishioners decided they wanted to stay together despite some differences, Phillips said.
"My vision is that of the parish as a wagon wheel," he said. "We need to find a common center because if you're not together at the hub, we'll be flying apart at the rim."
Though Phillips has been at the church just five months, longtime parishioner Karen Slevin said his enthusiasm has been infectious.
"He's fantastic," Slevin said. "His sermons are engaging for people of all ages. He has this great booming voice."
Despite having led congregations in Flagstaff, Ariz.; Wilmington, Del.; and San Diego, preaching was not in Phillips' original life design. He began as an architecture student in Syracuse, N.Y., where he graduated with a bachelor's of arts degree and a master's in architecture.
A failed venture to rebuild Pittsburgh's poorer neighborhoods led to Phillips' involvement in ministry. He was one of six men responsible for The Pittsburgh Experiment, an outreach that urged businessmen to find life in Jesus at the workplace. Phillips also helped found the Pittsburgh Power and Light Co., an old Victorian teahouse that served up burgers and ministry to college students.
"The process from architect to priest was discerning what my gifts were," Phillips said. "I realized you couldn't change an environment and expect results. You have to change the inside.
"Seeing lives changed, that was a calling."
