The liturgical style and practice of St. Michael’s is low-church, where worship is held in a simply adorned, colonial style sanctuary. Since its inception, the tradition has been that clergy, lay readers, and choir members wear cassock and surplice as vestments. Worship is directly from the Book of Common Prayer, without chanting, incense, etc. Only the Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and Doxology are sung. Rite I is held at 8AM and Rite II is held at 10:30 AM, with Christian Education for both children and adults held between the services September through May. Rite I is used for both services during Advent and Lent.

• Stable and dedicated congregation.
• Long-standing and robust commitment to outreach, where 10% of the operating budget is allocated to both domestic (50%) and international (50%) missions.
• Parish buildings are used to support the community, including AA meetings, Red Cross blood drives, and Woodbridge Pre-school, which is currently operating at full enrollment.
• No deferred maintenance outstanding.  Completed capital improvement project following a campaign to raise $500K in support of its completion.

• Deepening pastoral care.
• Rejuvenating Christian Education, including Adult Education, Sunday School, and Small Groups.
• Strengthening Music Ministry (disbanded choir).
• Addressing the adjacent Church Cemetery, which is separately incorporated and governed, and which is underfunded. A capital campaign is underway to improve the current status.

St. Michael’s current rector is retiring on August 1, 2022, after a 34-year tenure at the parish.  They hope for their interim rector to begin serving in mid- to late-August or early September, supporting both the administrative and ministerial functions of the parish.

Learn more about St. Michael’s of the Valley by visiting the parish’s website at stmichaelsligonier.org.

Interested priests should contact the Rev. Canon Kimberly Karashin at kkarashin@episcopalpgh.org or 412-721-0853 x 254.