Below is a word from Dean Smalley, followed by a letter from Cameron Cole.
Dear Parish Family,
After nearly twenty years of a ministry that has been rich and fruitful, Cameron Cole has discerned a call to a new chapter of ministry outside of the Advent.
I thank God for Cameron, Lauren, Mary Matthews, Hutch, and Knox. I have been fortunate to serve with Cameron throughout his time at the Advent, experiencing the ways God has impacted the lives of many through his ministry. We have been fortunate that the Coles have been with us, and the Advent and her people have been a blessing in their lives. These years together have represented the best of Christian community: walking together, growing together, receiving together the grace of God, and blessing one another.
In the attached letter from Cameron, you’ll note in his discernment a move toward a ministry that requires ordination. I’m grateful for this leading in Cameron’s life, his gifts, and the ministry that will flow from this call. We know that powerful, life-giving ministry exists beyond ordination. We see this in the ministry of many within our community, Cameron being an excellent example of this truth. Though true, Scripture describes varieties of service, different orders of ministry, including ordination and its specific ministry calling.
Cameron’s final Sunday at the Advent will be February 2. As a way of expressing our love and gratitude, and to give as much opportunity for people to visit with the Coles, the schedule that day will be as follows:
- Cameron will preach in the Nave at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
- Cameron and I will have a conversation in the Dean’s Class at 10:15 a.m., reflecting on his ministry and experiences at the Advent.
- There will be a reception in Clingman Commons following the 11:00 a.m. service.
Good, exciting calls also acknowledge a note of sadness that comes with change. As the body of Christ, knit together, sharing in the faith and warm community we enjoy at the Advent, these transitions affect us as “we are members one of another” (Romans 12:5).
Though true, in light of God’s faithfulness, the sufficiency, generosity, and love of God, I am expectant: for what God will unfold for Cameron, the ministry to which he will be called, and the ways God will continue to lead the Advent in our ongoing witness. It is a gift to prayerfully lean in as a community, attentive to our Good Shepherd’s presence and guidance, learning and growing together in shared ministry; I thank God for this.
I’m grateful for Cameron’s service, our grounding, always, in the saving love and sacrifice of Jesus who serves and calls us friends. Please join me in loving and praying for our friends, the Coles, as they approach this new chapter of ministry.
The Lord be with you, 
The Very Rev. R. Craig Smalley
Dean and Rector
Dear Advent Family,
The Apostle James wrote “every good and perfect gift is from above.” Still, God‘s grace flows to us through concrete means. There’s no place in my entire life that the grace of God has flowed to me more abundantly than the Cathedral Church of the Advent. When I came to this church in 2005, I inherited a mission statement from Gil Kracke that talked about forming “gospel people.” That term is somewhat mystical, but it refers to a person in whom God has imbedded the comforting message of the cross in such a way that grace pervades the whole of their being. I’ve never seen a place where God does this kind of grace-driven, transformative work in people’s lives like the Advent. He has done this for my family and me, as well.
As hard and sad as it will be, I am clear that God has called me to step away from the Advent to discern where He may call me to ordained ministry in the future. I came to the Advent at the age of twenty-six because it “sounded like fun” to be a youth minister for two years since I wasn’t married and did not have kids. It was fun, and those two years turned into just short of twenty! Now, the Lord has called me to discern prayerfully and thoughtfully what he has next for my life.
This decision is individual and related to God’s personal calling on my life. I remain a friend, fan, and advocate of this solid, faithful, gospel-centered parish. I am confident that the Lord will continue to redeem, change, and heal lives through the preaching of the gospel of grace here.
The church has supported me in immeasurable ways. The Advent was fully behind the foundation of Rooted from the beginning and continues to contribute to it. The church supported me pursuing my seminary degree. The Advent has poured into the faith of my children. As long as we live, Lauren and I will personally never forget the steadfast embrace of us after our son, Cameron, died in 2013 and the beautiful ways that the Advent remembered his life.
The Advent has never just been a job; it’s been a family. Here, I have dozens of mentors and surrogate parents who have loved me and shaped my life. Most of my best friends have come through our life in this parish. I have had students come through confirmation, participate in the youth group, serve as interns, help as volunteers, and become my friends. I’ve had pastors like Craig Smalley care for me as a human being, not just as an employee. To be a part of this church family has been the blessing of a lifetime.
No words can express the depth of our gratitude to the Church of the Advent and to our Gracious Lord for all we have received through the Advent.
To God be to glory.
Your friend in Christ,
Cameron Cole