FROM OUR NEW RECTOR!!

I am overjoyed to have been called as your new Rector! Ham asked me to write a bio for you, so here is a little bit about me. I look forward to getting to know all of you in the weeks and months to come.

I began my life in the Episcopal Church as a young child, and grew up singing in the children’s choir at a small parish in Southern California. My early life was full of music: I studied piano and voice, majored in music at Yale University, and earned a Master’s of Music in Accompanying (piano ensemble) at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. I was also being drawn closer to God: At Yale I participated in a weekly bible study, and while in graduate school I was confirmed and participated in a Cursillo. At All Saint’s Pasadena, I witnessed the transforming power of the Spirit that was evident in people’s lives, and I began my journey towards ordination.

I come to St. Catherine’s with ten years of experience as a Rector ( 7 years at St. Mark’s in Waterville, Maine, and 3 years at St. John’s in Charleston, West Virginia ) and a total of nineteen years of ordained ministry. I was ordained in the Diocese of Atlanta in 1992, after completing a Master’s of Divinity, Magna Cum Laude, at Candler School of Theology, Emory University.

For the first 8 years of my ordained ministry, I served as Assistant/Associate Rector in three large parishes in the Atlanta area. During that time I was able to concentrate on spiritual formation for all ages. I learned several types of contemplative prayer, including Centering Prayer, Taize’ sung prayer, and walking the labyrinth. I led retreats and small groups focused on spiritual growth. My husband, John, and I also were blessed with two children during those years –Franklin, who is now 17, and Hugh, who is now 13.

As a Rector my greatest joys are celebrating the liturgy and leading groups focused on spiritual growth and congregational development. I have been blessed with many wonderful lay leaders, particularly in Maine, and I look forward to working with all of you!

I love the wonders of God’s Creation – particularly the ocean - and horses are an important part of my life. I particularly love trail riding, and I will bring two horses with me to Florida. We also have a dog and a cat both of whom will be making the move eventually.

My husband John works as an analyst for the Department of Labor in West Virginia. He will stay in West Virginia until May with our son Franklin so that Franklin can finish his senior year in high school. Our younger son Hugh will finish out this semester in West Virginia and move down to Florida in January.
I give thanks to God for the opportunity to minister with you at St. Catherine’s!

The Rev. Susan J. Latimer +