Church says goodbye to Sturni
Rev. Gary K. Sturni, rector of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Germantown will retire on Aug. 31.
He will preach his final sermon and conduct his final Eucharist on Sunday.
Sturni and his wife, Cindy, will be moving to Connecticut to be close to family.
They came to the church i n 2004.
Cindy has worked for the Memphis City Schools system teaching English as a second language in addition to her many activities in Christian education and parish outreach.
Ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1972, Sturni went on to complete two master’s degrees and received his doctor of divinity degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1988.
He originally came to Germantown as a transitional rector to serve until a permanent rector was named.
At that time the church was in particular need of someone who could bring unity into the church — from a pastoral standpoint, as well as an excellent communicator who could facilitate the building of a new church.
The parish soon realized that Sturni was the person to accomplish these manifold responsibilities and arrangements were made for him to be called as St. George’s permanent rector.
The church is planning a large send- off party on Saturday for all church members and invited guests. Gene and Ann Nichols are members of St. George’s Episcopal Church.