Meet the Priest THE REV. MARCELLA DRAWDY
Meet the Rev. Marcella Drawdy, Associate Rector, Trinity-by-the-Cove Episcopal Church Like now, the diocese sponsored a summer camp, but the camp was held at Camp Wingman in Arcadia, our diocesan property before DaySpring. Unlike DaySpring, I’m certain that air conditioning was not part of the infrastructure of the buildings there! St. Boniface used to hold a Christmas Fair each fall. I still use a beautiful felt Advent calendar that the women of the ECW sewed for my mother and father. It is a meaningful reminder of my church family in Sarasota and forms a bridge for me in both time and place with my son, Benjamin, who used it to mark the days until Christmas when he was young. Q: You were recently ordained in 2021. What called you to ministry and what drives you to serve?
The Rev. Marcella Drawdy joined Trinity-by-the-Cove in 2021 following her ordination and completing her Master of Divinity from The School of Theology at the University of the South. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources from the University of the South. In her career, the Rev. Drawdy worked in the field of environmental science and management, taught high school science, and worked several years in an addictions counseling office. The Rev. Drawdy is a native Floridian, having grown up on the west coast of Florida most of her life. She has a son, Benjamin, two stepchildren, Christopher and Mary, and four grandchildren. She is well-managed by Charley, her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and her cat, LilyBelle. Q: You’re a native to the West Coast of Florida, what was your experience growing up in the church? A: As a child, I was a member of St. Boniface on Siesta Key. We moved when I was a teenager and we joined Christ Church, Bradenton. My experiences at both churches were rich in activities and Christian education. Each had robust music programs, so I was surrounded by beautifully sung hymns and anthems. Additionally, I attended St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton from sixth grade until graduation, overlapping my membership at each church. 8
A: My call was incremental as I became more involved with my sending parish, All Saints, Tarpon Springs. About ten years ago, I remember feeling a desire to serve as an acolyte and at the same time was asked to be on the Altar Guild. On Altar Guild I felt the holiness of caring for holy things used in worship. Serving in the All Saints sanctuary helped to strengthen the holy connection in my worship of God in ways that sitting in the pew could never do. The years worshiping and serving as an acolyte in that sacred space were altogether magnificent and humbling as Jesus confirmed my call at the credence table one Ash Wednesday. Indeed, I was called to be a priest. This experience occurred after I had received the message that although being a schoolteacher and loving my students was a good thing, I was called to preach and teach the gospel. Q: You hold a Bachelor’s in Natural Science and worked in environmental science and management before Ordination. How does your love of the natural world connect you with the Holy Spirit? A: I find that spending time in God’s creation is restorative to my body, soul, and mind. I approach my time in the natural world with wonder, drinking in the fresh air and the landscapes and waters I encounter. Having studied Florida ecosystems, I have a sense of what to expect when I visit different natural areas. So, when I see something new, I enjoy the discovery and the moment of "wow!". God’s creativity is so captivating and perfectly complete.
