Highland Park United Methodist Church is excited to announce that Rev. Susan Robb will be the new pastor of the Cox Chapel service.

The former minister of Cox Chapel, Rev. Victoria Powers, believes that “Susan is the perfect fit for this community of faith. Her preaching abilities, her pastoral spirit, and her love for the sacrament of Communion make her the ideal next pastor for Cox Chapel.”

Rev. Robb began attending HPUMC over 30 years ago with her husband. Several years later, while in seminary, she was approached by Rev. Mark Craig, former Senior Minister of HPUMC, who encouraged her to see what life was like on the other side of the pew.

Since joining the HPUMC staff 18 years ago, Rev. Robb has shared her incredible gifts with countless ministries in a multitude of positions: Director of College Ministry, Director of Sunday Morning Adult Classes, Executive Minister, Senior Associate Minister and more.

“It's such a privilege to now step into the role of pastor to the Cox Chapel community,” Rev. Robb said. “I love both the community and the intimacy of the sacred space that Cox Chapel offers.”

She also appreciates the historical and global significance of partaking in the Cox Chapel service. “I love the continuity of the nature of Cox Chapel's liturgical and sacramental style: declaring the faith found in the ancient words of the Apostle's Creed, engaging in prayers written by saints throughout history, exploring scripture, and sharing in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

“It offers a sense of unity in Christ that connects those present, not only with one another but to others around the world and to Christians throughout the ages as well,” Rev. Robb said.

Rev. Robb finds the setting itself moving, too. “No one can enter the space of Cox Chapel without being awestruck by the unparalleled beauty of its Gothic architecture, stained glass windows (especially the magnificent rose window), and how it manages to communicate the splendor, grandeur, and intimacy of God's presence simultaneously,” she said.

Her hope and vision for the service is that it lets both “newer and older generations discover the vibrant, sacred treasures of the past” while also “maintaining the integrity of the worship experience already offered by the worship team and finding creative ways to spread the word about this gem.”

Rev. Robb will officially begin leading the Cox Chapel service on Sunday, September 1, with other pastors rotating preaching until then.