Parish Experience

St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church — Rector 2021 To Present

Actively preaching, teaching, and leading this joyful community of faith in the suburbs of Columbus to grow the Jesus Movement. Come check us out because God is at work, Jesus is present, and the Holy Spirit is up to something!

Church of the Nativity — Rector 2017 to 2021

I am empathetic and strategic.  I care a great deal, and I think ahead.  Utilizing my high energy and passionate commitment I build teams that successfully implement growth in children, membership, and giving.

• I mentor seminarians in partnership with the Field Education program at Sewanee School of Theology to develop their ministry skills and clarify the Spirit’s call.  

• I institute, build, and continue to adapt Christian formation programming for children and adults.

• I Successfully lead teams to implement stewardship campaigns that include small group meetings, parish presentations, mailings, and graphics that connected giving with theology.  Giving has increased by 30% during my tenure.

• Utilizing my aptitude for guiding visioning processes, I led the vestry in discerning to build an outdoor chapel and then successfully oversaw the construction.  The project was completed under budget and ahead of schedule.

• Harnessing my faculty with technology along with my eagerness to learn, I adapt the worship life and formation programming of the parish in response to the COViD-19 pandemic, including

  • Transferring worship to an online format utilizing both Facebook Live and Youtube

  • Leading a team to develop and deliver VBS @Home in the summer and Sunday School @Home during the school year. 

  • Constructing and producing a Youtube Series and Podcast of an introduction to the faith.

  • Institute online giving and new website integration to maintain the financial health of the parish

  • Adapting outreach ministries such as the food pantry and financial assistance to comply with COViD-19 safety standards.

  • Leading a team to produce worship services in the new outdoor chapel while still streaming them online

  • Engaging the vestry in a conversation of adaptive vs technical change to navigate the long-term pandemic.

• Leveraging my pastoral gifts, I attend to the pastoral needs of the congregation practicing a sacramental presence that reminds people God is with them.

• Utilizing my small group facilitation and theological reflection skills I mentor an EFM group that I also founded in the parish.

Church of the Resurrection -- Rector 2009 to 2017

Navigating the pastoral dynamics of a parish that was the result of the merger of a black parish and a white parish, I leveraged my community organizing experience to build relationships in the neighborhood of North Omaha and expand the diversity of the parish.

• Helped develop a water ministry at the bus stop on the corner of the property.

• Facilitated approval by the Omaha Food Bank for the congregation to be a mobile food pantry sight and developed a team to lead the effort.

• Developed multiple bible studies, meeting in non-traditional places, such as the internet, and a local bar.

• I assembled a team of parents and guided the design of a special service for young children inspired by the Book of Common Prayer Eucharist but presented in a developmentally appropriate manner. 

• Leading a team of lay leaders, we successfully implemented the Unbinding the Gospel Series; including a whole church immersion, preaching series, and small group experience nearly doubling Average Sunday Attendance. 

• Utilizing my attention to detail I oversaw the replacement of the roofs on all our buildings as well as a significant foundation repair.

Brownell Talbot School – Chaplain (part-time) 2013 to 2017

Applying my gifts for preaching I emphatically and passionately proclaimed God’s love for all in a multi-faith setting, striking a balance between integrity to the Christian faith and Episcopal tradition while making sure Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists felt welcome and loved.  

Resurrection House Internship Program -- Director 2009 to 2014

Resurrection House was a nine-month internship for young adults aged 21 to 30 who were discerning a call to ministry.  An alum of this program, I employed both my administrative and mentoring skills to recruit interns, help them discern their call to ministry, and oversee their field placement sites in collaboration with their field supervisors.  

All Saints Episcopal Church – Associate Rector 2007 to 2009

Sharing completely in the liturgical and pastoral life of the largest parish in the state, I continued to solidify my priestly identity.  I applied my creative and liturgical gifts to leading a team to develop a contemporary service.  I also led the outreach team to increase its ministry beyond fundraising to active service.

Church of the Resurrection – Curate (half-time) 2005-2007

Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska – Youth Ministry Coordinator (half-time) 2005-2007

Fresh out of seminary I honed my priestly identity and leadership skills serving both the Diocese of Nebraska and the Church of the Resurrection.  I was blessed to have great mentors as I ran youth events across the state and learned the intricacies of parish ministry.

• Diocese of East Tennessee Bishop and Council, 2019 to 2021

  • Diocesan Convention Subcommittee

• Diocese of East Tennessee ‘Road to Emmaus’ Faculty (diocesan formation and orientation program for new clergy), 2018-2021

• REACH Mentor with Catoosa County Schools mentoring a second generation immigrant teenager, 2019 to 2021

• Gathering of Leaders Network 2016 – Present

• Episcopal Peace Fellowship, Gun Violence Prevention Team 2016 – 2017

• Diocese of Nebraska Standing Committee, 2014 – 2017 

• Guest Lecturer in Preaching Diocese of Connecticut Clergy Formation Program 2014-2017

• Diocese of Nebraska Commission on Ministry, 2014 – 2015

• Diocese of Nebraska Executive Commission, 2009-2014

• General Convention Deputy, 2012

• House of Deputies Committee on the State of the Church, 2012 – 2015

• Episcopal Service Corps (ESC) Board of Directors, 2009 –  2015

  • Founding member of the board; interim chair summer, 2009 

    • (overseeing hiring initial Executive Director, building funder relationships with FTE and Trinity Grants among others); 

    • secretary and executive team member, 2013-2015,

    • Chaired team to design and implement ESC’s presence and strategy at the general convention     2012,

  • Actively and successfully organize/advocate for ESC to be in the TEC budget for the 2013-2015 triennium,

  • Chair Board Nominating Committee 2012-2014,

  • Member of website and application redesign task force overhauling the ESC Logo, website, and internet presence as well as implementing Hiretouch HR system for the application process

• Omaha Together One Community Clergy Committee (IAF community organizing)  June 2005 – 2009

• Certified Peer Ministry Facilitator 2005 – 2010

• Parish Relations Committee Omaha Chapter of Habitat for Humanity   2006 – 2007

• Province VI Christian Formation Network 2005 – 2007

• Young Adult Ministers Network (YAMNet) 2005 – 2007