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.
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