Loading...It has been a long time since Eucharist was celebrated regularly in Fulton, Kentucky. Since May of 2010 to be exact.
After losing then vicar, The Rev. Ellen Ekevag, to a job transfer for her spouse, the congregants of Trinity Fulton have been 
at the mercy of the Four Rivers Deanery and the kindness of area priests in order to keep the doors open to worship for a challenging 18 months. But the faithful members can all say that is behind them now with the recent ordination of The Rev. Richard Kent Galloway. And what a celebration it was!
With upwards of 90 in attendance on a glorious fall day, Galloway celebrated his first Eucharist after his Oct. 29 ordination to the priesthood by Bishop Terry White at his new church home in western Kentucky.
Born in Gainsville, FL while his father was attending the University of Florida, Richard Galloway spent his youth in Greenville, South Carolina, where his younger brother and sister still reside. Having two uncles who were ordained ministers to small, rural congregations as well as 'many godly family, friends, and role models in my life' began the stirrings of a call to ministry, according to the new priest. His walk of spirituality started as an adult convert and non denominational Christian, and he credits several gifted biblical teachers and preachers during a seven year time span at his sponsoring parish of St. Peter's Greenville, SC, as the turning point in his journey of faith -- whereby the sacramental and liturgical worship of the Episcopal Church became vitally important to him.
While discerning his path, Richard served for two years as field seminarian at Calvary – St. George Episcopal Church in New York City. He also worked with the homeless in Atlanta, Georgia and served for a year as a transitional deacon at Redeemer Episcopal Church in Greenville, SC after graduation from seminary as well. He feels divine providence brought him to an interview with Bishop Terry White for the Fulton, Kentucky position, citing the instant 'rapport' he felt with the Bishop as a very influential factor in his accepting the offer at Trinity.
The Rev. Galloway is a self described bachelor who is 'the one person staff for two Siamese kittens, Rebecca and Rachel'. As a bi – vocational priest, he does contracting and consulting work for corporate IT clients too. He is a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan and also enjoys playing a game of tennis when 'my bad back cooperates'. Questioned directly, he does admit that although he has several close friends who are Clemson graduates, he himself, did graduate work at South Carolina and lived in Columbia for fifteen years, thus owning up to the fact he is a Gamecock fan at heart. Not to worry though. Trinity members are already hard at work educating him on the real deal of the SEC --- University of Kentucky Wildcat basketball -- and feel sure a conversion is close at hand!
Please join us in giving a huge welcome to this much anticipated addition to diocesan staff in Western Kentucky. We are thankful to have Richard Galloway call Fulton 'home'.
Photos: Above, the Rev. Richard Galloway presides at his first Eucharist. Below, he is seen with retired Bishop David Reed. Photos by Elizabeth Jones
