Rector Search

The Vestry announces with great joy the calling of The Rev. Dr. Sanford H. Groff, Jr. as the rector of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and School in Tequesta, Florida.  Father Groff will be instituted by the Bishop on Saturday, December 9th at noon and his first Sunday with us will be Sunday, December 10th.  The Vestry thanks the Search Committee for their hard work, prayers, and discernment in identifying the priest who will best lead Good Shepherd into its future.

“I am humbled to be called to serve as your next rector,” Sanford writes.  “As neighbors, I have come to know many of you through the years and each person has overflowed with God’s love and warmth.  Good Shepherd is clearly a Spirit-filled church and school.” 

Sanford comes to us from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and School in neighboring Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where he has served for the last nine years as Associate Rector.  Prior to that, he served as Associate Chaplain at St. Paul’s School for Boys outside of Baltimore, Maryland for seven years.  He was ordained a priest in 2013 in the Diocese of Maryland.  

Sanford earned a Doctor of Ministry from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2020 focusing on Educational Leadership.  He brings a breadth of knowledge and experience working in Episcopal schools.  He attended Duke Divinity School in North Carolina for his Master of Divinity degree.  Prior to his time at Duke, Sanford served for a year as a missionary in Kenya teaching at an all-girls boarding school.  He earned his bachelor’s degree from Grove City College north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For high school he attended The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania as a boarding student.  Sanford was raised outside of Philadelphia.

Sanford and his husband, Antonio Romano, were married at St. Mark’s with nearly the entire parish in attendance!  Antonio, or Tony, is an attorney in town who grew up in beautiful Fort Myers, Florida.  He is the son of parents who immigrated here from Calabria, Italy.  “We both love to eat,” Sanford shares, “I enjoy cooking, especially now that I have a whole family to go to for delicious Italian cuisine and recipes!”  Sanford and Tony enjoy traveling and spending time with their families.  “Living in paradise, we regularly host visiting family members fleeing from the cold.”  They are looking forward to moving into the rectory.

“I am quite excited to begin serving at Good Shepherd alongside your excellent Associate Rector, Father Derek.  Please keep me and my family in your prayers as I will continue to hold you and yours in mine each day until we meet officially in December!”

Here is a link to a printable announcement.