Assisting Clergy
I am reasonably sure I am the senior member of the staff in both age and service. I am glad that even at my age I have been able to offer some service in worship, pastoral and educational ministries.
I have been associated with St. Luke’s for about 42 years, to the period when Herbert Donovan (elected Bishop of Arkansas) was Rector. When he learned that I was a priest, then a member of the Diocese of New York, he invited my occasional assistance in worship and recommended me to Bishop John Spong for interim assignments. I served some 14 congregations in the Diocese of Newark (and one in the Diocese of New Jersey). During most of those years, I was a “bi-vocational” priest, as I also worked in human resources and benefits management, the last 25 years at Prudential.
After I reached mandatory retirement age, I was able to spend more regular time at St. Luke’s. John Mennell has been kind enough to include me in a number of ministries and activities. I have especially enjoyed several years of Sunday morning Bible studies. Regular participation in the worship life of the parish also has been a great pleasure for me. Two of my children and three of my grandchildren have been baptized in St. Luke’s and the two children participated in church school, youth activities and as acolytes. My wife, Oneida, also served on the Vestry and on the search committee that called John Mennell. Until my retirement, she was the more regular participant in St. Luke’s worship and programs. As we have been able, both of us have been delighted to be active members of St. Luke’s for these many years!