St. John’s has been truly blessed to have two from our parish who have responded to God’s call to the Holy Orders of Priest and Deacon: The Rev. Pam Renna and Deacon Sharon Voelker!

For each of them, the discernment process has been many years in the making.  Although they have had families and careers, they felt the need to strengthen their service to God and the church in a formal way.

The Episcopal Church believes that we all have a ministry.  All believers are to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to Him wherever they may be; according to the gifts given them, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world.  They are to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.  But discerning the possibility of becoming ordained leads to a new level of responsibility.  The ministry of a priest is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as pastor to the people, to share with the bishop in the overseeing of the Church, to proclaim the Gospel, to administer the sacraments and to bless and declare pardon in the name of God.  The ministry of a deacon is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as a servant of those in need and to assist bishops and priests in the proclamation of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments.

Pam has completed her discernment process, finding a place here with us at St. John’s.  She will join the team of staff and clergy by functioning as our assistant priest.  She will continue to oversee our pastoral care visiting the sick, to lead our team of Eucharistic Visitors and to assist Fr. Daniel with the liturgy during worship.

Sharon, who has been ordained a transitional deacon, is still walking her journey to becoming a priest.  In her own words,

“My ultimate goal, God willing, is to be called to a congregation as their part-time priest-in-charge.  Until then, I am looking forward to serving with Fr. Daniel and Rev. Pam in the coming months and I feel that together we will be a strong team that will faithfully minister to the worship and pastoral needs of St. John’s.”

St. John’s is proud to be a community of all people who feel called to God’s service and today, particularly proud of the Rev. Pam Renna and the Rev. Sharon Voelker.  Congratulations!