December 1, 2020
Dear St. Benedict’s Parishioners,
We are excited to announce that the Vestry has called The Rev. Jenna Strizak to be our Rector at St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church. This announcement is enthusiastically endorsed by the Diocese of Atlanta. Jenna’s first Sunday with us will be January 10, 2021.
Mother Jenna (or just Jenna, whatever you prefer) comes to St. Benedict’s from Holy Trinity Parish, Decatur, GA, where she served as associate rector for over eight years. She served as a priest to the whole parish-- sharing in sacramental and administrative leadership-- with particular passions for teaching and preaching, small group ministries, building up the ministry of the baptized, and working with young children and their families. Jenna graduated from Hampshire College in Amherst, MA and received her Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University, with a focus on Anglican/Episcopal Studies and Christian Formation. She was ordained a deacon in 2012 and a priest on Baptism of Our Lord in 2013. Before ordination, Jenna worked as a hospice chaplain and college admissions counselor.
Jenna is committed to serving the whole church; she served as president of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Atlanta and currently serves on the Commission on Ministry. Jenna is also chaplain for one of the Episcopal residential houses at Candler, working with seminarians as they are formed for ministry. Her favorite book of scripture is John’s gospel: and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us!
Jenna was born in New York, raised in New Jersey, and spent nine years in Western Massachusetts before moving to Atlanta in 2008; she’s been in love with this state and this diocese ever since. In non-covid times, Jenna is an avid Sacred Harp singer: singing old, American a cappella hymns together… loudly! She’s a slow-but-committed hiker, a creative cook, and loves road trips and spending time with her two year old goddaughter.
The biographical information is just a beginning introduction to Jenna. When the Vestry met Jenna we experienced her energy and her love for Jesus. She is passionate about sharing the good news of God in Christ in her preaching; she loves the liturgy; she believes strongly in collaborating with lay people to develop programs for formation for all ages, community service, pastoral care, stewardship and congregational development. She is excited about the prospect of helping St. Benedict’s become the church we want to be.
We will be working with Jenna in the coming months to welcome her to St. Benedict’s and find ways for us to get to know each other. There will be in person gatherings as we are able, Zoom sessions and videos. Please participate as you can and show Jenna why St. Benedict’s is such a special place.
Faithfully,
Saralee Parker, Sr. Warden
Ann Canipe, Jr. Warden
And a bonus PS from Kate Wiley, Nominating Committee chair:
The nominating committee is overjoyed to welcome Jenna Strizak as our new rector. From the beginning, we all agreed that she was exceptional and would give St. Benedict's the love we need to complete our mission. She had us when she responded to a question: "I don't want to be a rector. I want to be St. Benedict's rector." Through all of our meetings, she was warm and vivacious, yet asked all the right questions. Our mutual discernment never wavered and with each interview we were more excited about working with Jenna. Our prayers have been answered - we truly got one of the best!
