Beginning on May 29, 2022, Reverend Cliff Rucker will be the Supply Priest assigned to St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Palestine, TX on the Fourth Sunday of each month. We welcome Fr. Rucker to our Church Family, and know we will enjoy our time with him.
Learn a little more about Fr. Rucker below:
The Reverend Cliff Rucker, a native of Texas, grew up in the Baptist Church in West Texas. He graduated from Baylor University and Georgia State University and attended Emory University. Cliff was a Certified Public Accountant. He worked as a tax accountant in Houston from 1978 to 1983 and then joined the faculty of Louisiana College, in Pineville, LA, as an accounting instructor. He remained at Louisiana College for 12 years rising to the rank of Associate Professor.
In 1985, Cliff was confirmed into the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Western Louisiana. He was active in his local parish as a vestry member, a Eucharistic Minister, bookkeeper, Sunday School teacher, and EFM mentor.
In 1994, feeling the call to ministry, Cliff entered the process for ordination.Fr. Cliff attended Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary in Wisconsin. Upon ordination in 1997, heserved as Associate Rector in parishes in West Monroe, Monroe, and Lake Charles, Louisiana. He was appointed Canon for Camp & Conferences in the Diocese of Western Louisiana and Executive Director of Hardtner Camp & Conference Center. In 2002, Fr. Cliff moved to Texas, becoming Rector of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Port Neches for 15 years.
Father Cliff retired in 2017. Fleeing hurricanes and oil refineries, he and Judith moved inland to Lufkin. Fr. Cliff currently serves as permanent Supply Priest to Episcopal parishes in Center, Jacksonville, San Augustine and Kilgore. Beginning in May, 2022, Cliff will serve St. Philip's Church in Palestine on the 4th Sunday of the month during their discernment period for the future.