|
The
Rev. Johanna Barrett - After three years serving as Trinity Church's Priest in Charge,
on October 23, 2008 my ministry at Trinity was renewed, and I was
welcomed as the new Rector here at Trinity Episcopal Church in
Topsfield.
Priesthood
is both my vocation and my profession …
Immediately before coming to Trinity, I was Associate
Rector at St. Thomas’ in Rochester, NY where
I had been for seven years. In addition to my work
in the parish, I was also a consultant for congregational
development - working with nearly 30 parishes over
the ten years I was in the Diocese of Rochester. I
am a national trainer with the Church Development
Institute and work with the Healthy Congregations
and Bridgebuilders programs.
I
have lived and worked rural and urban areas ... in
the U.S. and abroad…
I was born in Utica, New York and grew up in Clinton,
a village about 10 miles away. My undergraduate degree
is in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies from Mount
Holyoke College. After college, I moved to Washington,
DC to work with an international educational exchange
program between the Middle East/ North Africa and
the USA. I also spent two years with the Peace Corps
in Yemen. (I remember a little of my Arabic, but not
much!)
I
am happily into my third career …
My first graduate degree (leading to my second career!)
is a Master’s in Organizational Development
from American University and NTL (National Training
Laboratories). I worked for several years as a free-lance
consultant and trainer in business, industry, government,
and non-profit organizations.
Ordained
ministry is work that draws on everything I have done
before …
My second graduate degree is a M.Div. from the Virginia
Seminary. I was ordained to the deaconate in June
of 1994 and to the priesthood later that same year.
My first year as an ordained person was part-time
on the staff of the Episcopal High School as theology
teacher and assistant chaplain and part-time at Church
of the Resurrection. Teaching Bible to high school
sophomores was great fun – and I learned a great
deal - but I have been in full-time parish ministry
ever since. I moved from Virginia to Corning, NY where
I served as Assistant Rector at Christ Church for
three years and then on to Rochester, NY.
My
life outside the parish includes …
I live with my two cats, Skeeter and Blue. I enjoy
gardening, sewing, reading mystery stories, spending
time with family and friends, and going for walks.
I am learning about wood working (I had no idea how
much fun power tools could be!) and about this area.
I like to travel – to be with my family as well
as to visit new places.
Back
to Staff Page |
