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The Rev. William Bozeman, 59, returns to Florida to become rector of St. John's Episcopal in Brooksville. He moved with his wife from West Virginia. ''I truly believe God has called me,'' he said.
By JEAN JOHNSON
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 29, 2002
BROOKSVILLE -- For the Rev. William Bozeman and his family, it feels like coming home.
From 1970 to 1982, they lived in Avon Park, where he worked as a teacher and then principal at Avon Park Middle School.
Bozeman and his wife, Mary Ann, recently returned to Florida where he has accepted the position of rector of St. John's Episcopal Church. He will begin his parish duties Monday.
The 59-year-old priest said, "I truly believe God has called me (here)."
Bozeman's decision to leave his position as an educator and enter seminary came when he was teaching an adult Sunday school class and studying the book of Romans 12:1, in which Paul said: "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
He earned his master's degree in divinity from the University of the South School of Theology in Suwannee, Tenn. He is now working on his thesis for a doctorate in parish ministry.
His wife had a voice in that decision, he said.
"We try to make decisions that will benefit both of us," he said, pointing out that Mary Ann, a teacher, has taught school everywhere they have lived except during the three years he spent in seminary.
Mrs. Bozeman will begin Hernando County's next public school term teaching gifted children at Parrott Middle School.
After receiving his master's degree in 1985, Bozeman joined St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Millbrook, Ala., serving as rector from 1985 to 1987. He was rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Cullman, Ala., from 1987 to 1991.
For the past 11 years, Bozeman has been rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Beckley, W. Va., where he joined many diocesan activities involving evangelism and the fight against racism.
Although Bozeman will be only the third rector since St. John's moved from a mission to a parish church, the congregation welcomes its new leader after recently going without a permanent rector.
The Rev. Raymond Dage was rector from 1989 to 1997. The church was leaderless until the Rev. Brian Burgess filled the post from 1999 to 2001.
St. John's, which has an average Sunday attendance of 135, has been served for the past year by the Rev. Donald Jaikes and the Rev. Donald Lillpopp, two retired priests affiliated with St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Spring Hill.
Senior Warden Dee Huss, who has been with St. John's since 1974, said although church records from 1885 to the early 1920s were lost in a fire, there have been about 20 pastors since 1947.
"Everything has gone well in the year we've been without a rector, thanks to Revs. Jaikes and Lillpopp," Huss said.
Edward MacKenzie III, whose great-grandfather helped build the original church, has attended St. John's all his life. Although he has lived in Lake Wales for six years, he journeys two hours each way to attend services every Sunday.
"I can remember (only) 12 to 13 people being in church when I was a kid," MacKenzie said. "We're hoping for the best now, and are sure Father Bozeman will be the best for the church," said the father of five children and grandfather of 13, most of whom have been christened and married in the church.
Third, fourth and fifth generation MacKenzies attend the church.
Cynthia Moore, president of the Hernando County teacher's union, has been with the church since 1969.
"It's a home church. Everybody is friendly," she said.
One goal Moore has for the church is getting a new organ. She also wants to see the return of the Saturday 5:30 p.m. worship service.
"Although we've had a big growth recently, and Jaikes and Lillpopp did a super job, with a permanent pastor we'll have to wait and see," Moore said. "From what I've heard, I think we'll go far."