Following a year of changes within its organization, St. Columba’s Episcopal Church has welcomed a new part-time vicar: Rev. Vincent Pizzuto, of Fairfax. The announcement comes a year after Father Robert Weldy, the previous head of Inverness’s oldest church, retired and St. Columba’s status shifted from a parish to a mission due to a shrinking laity and inadequate funding. Currently, about a dozen regulars attend service, which has been led by a revolving cast of priests. Amid this shifting climate, Rev. Pizzuto, an associate professor of New Testament studies at the University of San Francisco, says he is determined to revamp the historic fellowship. “I told the bishop committee this place is convenient to nowhere—and that’s its greatest and worst aspect,” he said, referring to the seven-member group that is a mission’s version of a vestry. “It’s in an amazing location that invites quiet. There are other spiritual centers in West Marin, [such as] Spirit Rock Meditation Center and Green Gulch Zen Center, but there are no Christian centers. I’m not looking to convert West Marin to Christianity but I am trying to begin a dialogue.” Rev. Pizzuto, a native of New Jersey, moved to Fairfax with his partner in 2008 and often visited St. Columba’s during trips to West Marin. He is the founder and vicar of New Skellig Celtic Christian Community, an extension of the Episcopal Church that’s rooted in Celtic tradition. In his New Year’s Day sermon, he preached about molding together the Old and New Testaments and discussed the ever-changing language used to define God. “It’s really something you don’t think about,” said George Rangitsch, a parishioner who chairs the bishop’s committee. “[Rev. Pizzuto] gave us an interpretation of the word ‘God’ in Greek, Latin and Hebrew. He is one smart guy who knows how to get his point across while keeping it entertaining. No one falls asleep when he gives his sermon.” Last year, the bishop committee made efforts to boost the public’s awareness of the church and the 1930 retreat house, such as through a production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” put on at the property’s amphitheater. But Rev. Pizzuto says he is pursuing grants from federal and local organizations as well, and is developing a strategic plan that includes offering a year-long residency program for artists. “I’m looking for ways to host creativity,” he said. “St. Columba’s symbolizes much of the church [at large]: it’s profoundly old and beautiful, and needs to be dusted so that its beauty can shine once again.” And he is taking on the challenge of resurrecting St. Columba’s congregation: “I figured Jesus started with 12,” he said. “And so I can start with 12, too.”