There is so much about St. Benedict’s that excites me, and so much that points to God alive and working in your midst. I am intrigued by the desire you named to deepen your relationships with one another and with Jesus, and to serve your neighbors in Smyrna more intentionally. As we discerned together, I would talk with colleagues or friends about my growing excitement and sense of call to St. Benedict’s, and the word I kept using to describe the parish is “scrappy.” I love that St. Benedict’s is creative and persistent and generous, and continues to ask “How can I help?” I am inspired by how many of you keep showing up to share the gifts and talents God has given you, saying “Here I am, Lord, send me.” I love how much you love being together: eating, laughing, learning, praising God together. I am humbled and excited to join you, to serve with you, to build up the body of Christ at St. Benedict’s with you, and to love you.

I come to St. Benedict’s from Holy Trinity Parish, Decatur, GA, where I’ve served as Associate Rector since September 2012. I was ordained a priest here in January 2013, and celebrated my first Eucharist and Baptism that year on the Baptism of Our Lord: the same feast on which we’ll begin our ministry together! I love good church-- not high church or low church-- just good church, with intentional, beautiful worship that points us to the joy and mystery of the triune God. The best compliment I’ve ever received was from a parishioner, about a year after I arrived at Holy Trinity; I’m not sure he meant it as one. He said, “You know, since you’ve been here, we’ve sure been hearing a lot about Jesus!” 

I was born in New York and grew up in New Jersey. I did not grow up in the Episcopal Church; I was born and raised Jewish, and became a Christian while I was in college and was baptized as a young adult. How a Jewish Yankee ends up an Episcopal priest in Georgia is a story I can’t wait to share with you, and I can’t wait to hear your own stories of God moving in your lives! As Saralee and Ann write in their letter, we will create lots of chances to tell one another those stories and get to know each other in the coming months. 

I love to hike, to sing, and to spend time with friends-- I’ve clocked a lot of porch hours these past months. Also: I love trying new restaurants, and hope y’all won’t be shy about sending recommendations of where to eat in Smyrna! 

I cannot wait to begin our ministry together; keep an eye out soon for ways we can begin to know one another before my arrival. In the mean time, I ask you to pray for me, for Holy Trinity as we say goodbye, and for our ministry together at St. Benedict’s. I am already praying for you.

Yours in Christ,
Mo. Jenna+