Rector Search Announcement
March 6, 2026
.Dear St. John’s Community,
The Search Committee and the Vestry are excited to announce the 21st Rector of St John’s Episcopal Church! The Reverend Cindy Rigali-Lund will join us beginning July 1, 2026. Rev. Cindy is currently a Curate at Christ Church in Winnetka. She previously served as a Postulant at St Lawrence Episcopal Church in Libertyville and St. James the Less Episcopal Church in Northfield, where she was also the Director of Children and Youth.
Rev. Cindy received her M.Div. from Garrett Theological Seminary and also has an M.Ed. from DePaul University. Prior to her ordination in the priesthood, she had a career in higher education and non-profit administration. Her background in education, counseling, management, fundraising, and her love of Christ are all qualities that will serve us well at St. John’s.
To quote the Search Committee’s recommendation: “Cindy combines the faith, enthusiasm, inspiration, compassionate listening skills, managerial insights, and the financial smarts to be a great leader for this next phase of St. John’s.”
Rev. Cindy will live in the rectory with her husband, three daughters, two dogs, and a cat. We ask you to pray for her family as they move their lives and home to St. John’s.
We also give huge thanks to the Search Committee who guided us through this process. Their time, thoughtfulness, and efforts are greatly appreciated, and we ask you to share our prayers of thanksgiving for bringing us our new Rector.
As we look ahead to our time with Rev. Cindy, we also want to take time to celebrate and thank Meghan for everything she has done to support St. John’s during our period of transition. We are grateful for her leadership and feel lucky to have shared these past two years with her. Meghan’s last day with us will be May 31, 2026. We will host a goodbye gathering on May 31, following the 10 am service. More details about the gathering to come.
We will be served by supply clergy between Meghan’s departure and Rev. Cindy’s start date. Although we are all excited for this new chapter in the life of St. John’s, we ask that you please do not contact Rev. Cindy prior to her start date. If you have any questions, please reach out to the wardens.
With gratitude,
Michael McGovern
Senior Warden
Lesli Vipond
Junior Warden
Dear St. John’s,
How exciting it is to be called as your 21st Rector! Walking through this discernment the last five months with the Search Committee, and later the Wardens and Vestry, has been a sacred process for me. I have been awed by witnessing your faith from afar—your vibrant worship; your fun events; your commitment to creating God’s dream on earth. And don’t forget about your palpable joy. That is the piece that really sets you apart. It’s contagious and glorious and instantly spoke to me.
I come to you with an abundant background of faith, education, and nonprofit work, along with a passion for art in all of its forms. Additionally, I bring my wonderful family: my husband, three daughters , as well as our two dogs and a cat.
Before we know it, July 1st will be here and we will begin our journey together in faith. We will do this through our worship, praying, praising, event-ing, singing, protesting, fundraising, loving up our neighbors near and far, breaking bread together, standing up for justice, pastorally caring for one another, strategically planning, grieving when there is loss, celebrating the wins, caring for our creation, faithfully stewarding our resources, wrestling with the hard questions, laughing with gusto, being authentic with one another, growing with intention, pruning where needed, nurturing our children and youth, learning new things, listening with open hearts, healing brokenness, nourishing and sharing our gifts, and most importantly, joyously reminding one another of our wholeness in God.
St. John’s is a place I have dreamed about leading for a long time; perhaps my whole life. I am grateful for this wonderful opportunity to walk alongside you wherever you are on your faith journey. And what I know for sure is that God is with us, guiding us into this next chapter.
Peace and grace,
Rev. Cindy+