Small Church Voices Newsletter

From the Iona Collaborative

It is hard to believe that the spring semester has come and gone.

Here at the Iona Collaborative, we are celebrating a successful semester for our over 70 Continuing Education students, as well as the graduations of (at the time of this newsletter) 24 Local Formation students across the country who are graduating with certificates in theological studies, diaconal studies, and lay leadership. Read on for a profile on one such student whose path to a call in ministry has been beautiful, grace-filled, and in her words, "high octane!"

As we move into the summer, we'd like to share some stories of your church at work in the world. If you have a special project or ministry that might solve a problem or spark interest in other small churches like yours, please reach out to me via email. We would love to shine a spotlight on your congregation in action as we celebrate the power of small.

Read on for more!

Frisking and Forgiving: Suzanne Hollifield Brings Her Law Enforcement Background to Bi-Vocational Priesthood

by Melanie P. Moore

Like a hike with unexpected turns, after 30 years in law enforcement, Suzanne Hollifield became a priest. She didn’t swap one vocation for the other, however. She’s a bi-vocational priest, continuing her work as an investigator at the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office and serving as priest at All Saints Episcopal Church in Crockett, Texas. 

“For me, the Iona program was exactly where I was called,” she said. “I equate it to one of the best formation experiences that I could have ever had. I compare it to Houston police academy and I say that in the most glorifying way. The Houston Police Department came to me when I was just out of college, 22 years old. The power we were entrusted with was overwhelming at first. They were very careful about training us for service..."

READ MORE HERE