The Reverend Michael Spencer became Rector in 2009. He earned his A.B. in philosophy/classics, magna cum laude, from the College of the Holy Cross. After completing coursework in Yale’s Teacher Education Program, he received his master of divinity, summa cum laude, graduating from Yale Divinity School as the ranking scholar. He subsequently earned a certificate in Anglican studies from Berkley Divinity School at Yale completing coursework for the master of sacred theology degree.  He also received a certificate in school management and leadership from Harvard Business School and Harvard Graduate School of Education.  He is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry program in Educational Leadership at Virginia Theological Seminary.

Ordained in the Diocese of Connecticut, Rev. Spencer served as assistant priest at St. John’s Church in Waterbury while working as school chaplain and director of the philosophy, religion, and ethics curriculum at The Taft School.  In 2007, he joined the faculty of St. Paul’s School as dean of chapel and member of the Humanities Department. As dean of chapel he developed the cathedral model of chaplaincy through a dynamic ministry: expanding chaplaincy initiatives, establishing distinctive interfaith and Episcopal programs, developing new local and global outreach partnerships, and deepening the integration of social justice, diversity, environmental stewardship, and arts into school ministry.

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From 2015 until 2023, Rev. Spencer served as Vice Rector for Faculty, revising the hiring process to incorporate data driven assessment, strengthening the diversity of the faculty and equity and inclusion initiatives, reviewing school policies and procedures to strengthen healthy culture and deepen faculty training, developing a comprehensive instrument to assess workload and track professional learning, engaging in strategic planning for the School, and serving as co-chair of the community conduct board, school accreditation, and on many other committees. 

In the summer of 2023, Rev. Spencer begin his work as Head of School at Oregon Episcopal School in Portland.  Founded in 1869, Oregon Episcopal School is the largest Episcopal School west of the Rockies, committed to inquiry based education to help students “realize their power for good.”

Nationally recognized for his work, Michael served as treasurer and secretary of the governing board of the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES) and currently serves as vice president and chair of advancement. His sermons, articles, and poetry including a curriculum in Applied Ethics, have been published in Theology Today, The Anglican Theological Review, The Living Church, The Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education Magazine, and Independent School Magazine. He has presented at many national conferences. A former delegate to the International Parliament of World Religions, he served on the Graduate Council of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, and on the board of directors for Forward Movement Publications.

During his time as rector of St. John’s, Rev. Spencer has helped to develop the mission for St. John’s, strengthen the outreach initiatives of the church, develop additional services and programming for the church and the island community, and deepen partnerships with other church and community leaders.  Michael is married to Amy, a middle and elementary school educator, and together they have two children: Aidan, age 23, and Katherine, age 18. His personal interests include gardening, cooking, reading, hiking, and rowing.