Father Vincent Black began his ministry with the parish on the First Sunday of Advent 2025. Here is his self-introduction:

I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. Maybe because Cleveland is on the shore of Lake Erie, I have a deep love for large bodies of water. I enjoy long cruises, sitting beside the water, and taking in its smells and sounds. As one of the Great Lakes, Erie is vast, but it pales, of course, to the Atlantic Ocean which will become my new touchstone. I often find and feel God on or near the water and that is one of the many reasons I know that God is calling me to do ministry with you.

I attended a boarding high school in New Hampshire and went to John Carroll University in Cleveland. After graduating from college, I taught English in Japan for four years and then returned to Cleveland where I taught English to immigrants and refugees until I went to Bexley Hall Seminary. My partner, Roger Barnhard, and I navigated the long-distance thing when I lived in Japan and when I went to seminary. We plan to do so again until he retires in the next few years.

When I returned to Cleveland after seminary I served on Bishop's staff as Canon for Christian Formation for ten years. After four years on staff, the bishop asked me to consider staying on staff half time as well as attempting a restart at a parish on the brink of closure. After prayer and conversation with the parish, I agreed. 

At first the diocese paid the majority of my salary but slowly Church of the Ascension assumed more of that responsibility. As I leave them to join you, they are in a financial position to hire and pay a full-time rector for many years to come.

I come to Delaware with my five-year-old Poochon, Jordan. He loves people and other dogs and is very much looking forward to meeting all of you and exploring Sussex County with me.

I began serving at All Saints Church and St. George's Chapel on the first Sunday of Advent. I look forward to getting to know you all as we grow in faith together as partners in ministry. May God bless us all.