Media Release
The Rev. Rebecca Myers to serve St. John’s, Corbin and St. Agnes House
The Diocese of Lexington
The Rt. Rev. Doug Hahn, the vestry of St. John’s Church, Corbin and the Board of Directors of St. Agnes House are happy to announce that The Rev. Rebecca Myers will be serving as Network Priest-in-Charge of St. John’s and Executive Director of St. Agnes House. This collaborative ministry recognizes and celebrates the professional training and experience of Myers in her extensive career in the non-profit world prior to seminary. Myers will be ordained to the priesthood at Washington National Cathedral on Saturday, July 27th. She will begin her work at St. Agnes House on August 15th, and at St. John’s on September 1. At a joint meeting of representatives of the two entities with Myers in June plans for the sharing of time, pastoral responsibilities and communications between the two entities were discussed and formalized in a letter of agreement . The new priest will be in residence at the rectory in Corbin, and will also retain quarters at St. Agnes House.
In correspondence to the Diocese, Myers writes:
Hi! I am excited to be joining the Diocese of Lexington. Family is important to me. My ancestors on my father’s side came from Germany to Pennsylvania in the early 18th century. Some are reported to have come to Kentucky with Daniel Boone. My ancestors on my mother’s side were from the islands of Italy. My grandfather came to this country illegally in 1925. I think of him every time I eat re onions since he worked to get them to grow in the short growing season of upstate New York. I spent much of my life in central Pennsylvania, although I have also lived in North Carolina, New York (city and state), Maryland and Kansas.
I was a Roman Catholic for the first 9 years of my life, and then became Lutheran, which was my father’s tradition. I am a fairly new Episcopalian and believe it blends both of these faith traditions of my life in the best way. Growing up I was part of a church community that stressed the importance of working for justice, even when that work may be unpopular. My parents modeled this work in their own lives.
My career prior to ordination was in social work , which also values working for justice . I have a Bachelor’s Degree from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s Degree (MSW) from the University of Kansas. I also have a certificate in Organizational Development from the National Training Laboratories Institute. Most of my social work career was in leading non-profit organizations. I worked for nearly 20 years for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) in Pennsylvania, and also at the national office in Washington, DC. Much of that work involved lobbying and advocacy. In fact, even in my “free time”, I enjoy advocacy activities that improve communities. I try to embody our baptismal covenant “….to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.”
In 2006, I relocated to the Washington, DC area where I stated attending the Washington National Cathedral. I love to sing and was blessed to sing in the first volunteer choir at the Cathedral – Cathedral Voices. It was there I felt God calling me into ordained ministry. In June, 2010, I became a Postulant for Holy Orders in the Diocese of Washington, and began seminary at General Theological Seminary in New York City in August of that year, graduating with my Masters of Divinity Degree in May of this year. I was ordained to the Transitional Diaconate in January, and to the Priesthood at the end of July.
I am the mother of two adult children, Scot and Carrie. Scot is married to Leah, and they have two children, Logan and Sydney. Only ask about my grandchildren if you have plenty of time and tolerance for hearing stories about them! Being a grandmother is amazing. I also love traveling, movies, reading and anything on the water.
I look forward to serving the people of the Diocese of Lexington, especially those connected to St. Agnes House and St. John’s, Corbin.
