clergy
The Rev. Michael Rusk
Michael Rusk became Rector of Emmanuel in 2017. Since that time he has worked with the Wardens and Vestry to build on Emmanuel’s tradition of providing beauty and reverence in worship within the context of a loving, inclusive Christian community where all are welcome and all are valued. In the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, Michael is Secretary to the Council of Advice. He is on the board of the European Institute of Christian Studies which has responsibility for the formation of ordinands. He has also served as the Secretary to the Transition Committee for the appointment and consecration of Bishop Mark.
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Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Michael grew up during The Troubles, attending Methodist College, Belfast. He attended the Anglican Parish of St Simon of which his father was the Church of Ireland Rector. Following Methodist College's fine tradition of producing classicists, Michael gained a place at Jesus College, Cambridge where he took degrees in Classics and Theology.
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After a curacy near Manchester, Michael became a university chaplain in the Cathedral City of Durham, where he combined pastoral work with teaching Classics in the University.
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In 1990 Michael was appointed Priest-in-Charge of St John's Nevilles Cross: a church on the outskirts of Durham. During his time at St. John's it became the fastest growing church in the north east of England, noted for its diverse vibrant worship, excellent preaching, and warm fellowship.
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In 1999, Michael was appointed Rector of Oadby in the Diocese of Leicester in the East Midlands of England. Oadby is a large multi-ethnic suburban parish in an area of fast demographic change. The beautiful medieval church of St Peter's dates back to 1253.
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A Rural Dean of the Gartree Deaneries from 2000 - 2013, Michael was also extensively involved in interfaith work, co-authoring Engaging Islam from a Christian Perspective, published in 2015. Commenting in 2017 on his appointment as Rector of Emmanuel, Michael said: “It is wonderful to be called by God to serve as Rector of Emmanuel. I look forward to being part of this community of faith where the welcoming love of Christ is so vibrant and the worship of God so beautiful. I look forward to a ministry blessed by God that invites us to journey together in faith and love. Exciting times lie ahead!”
The Rev. Deacon Richard Cole
A life-long Episcopalian, Richard Cole has been a member of Emmanuel since arriving in Geneva in 1978. Some of the activities in which he has been involved in the Parish include Mission and Outreach, Adult Education and head of the 2005 Stewardship campaign. He served on the Vestry from 1995 to 2001, and on the Rector Search Committees in 2000 and 2005.
At the Convocation level, Richard attended his first Convention as delegate in 1995 and was elected the first lay Secretary of Convention in 2001, in which capacity he also attends Council of Advice meetings. He served as a layman on the Commission on the Ministry of the Baptized from 1999 to 2004, the last year as Chair of Ministry in Daily Life, and was reappointed as a clergy member in 2010. Richard has been a deputy to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church since 2000, serving on the Stewardship Committee and the Committee on Dispatch of Business. Most recently, he was a member of the Committee on the State of the Church.
Richard studied at the University of Geneva's Faculty of Theology from 2005 to 2008, and was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons by Bishop Whalon in January 2009. Since his ordination, he has been in charge of Inreach at Emmanuel and has helped facilitate and train intercessors, lectors, acolytes, Communion servers and Altar Guild members.