Born and raised in Baton Rouge, the youngest of four children, I was baptized and active in the Presbyterian Church until I went away to college. I began my undergraduate studies at LSU and then transferred to UT in Austin where I earned my B. A. in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. Following that, I experienced many twists, turns, and adventures on life’s journey. I eventually married and moved to Smithdale, Mississippi, and lived on the old homeplace where my father grew up. I believe that I have always been called to ordained ministry but did not awaken to this call until I began attending the Episcopal Church of the Mediator-Redeemer in McComb/Magnolia, MS. It was here through the hospitality and love shown by the parishioners there and the beauty of the liturgy that I was able to experience the presence of God in my life as I never had before. I eventually divorced, moved to Jackson, completed my discernment to ordained ministry at St. James in Jackson and earned my M. Div. from Sewanee. Upon ordination to the transitional diaconate and then to the priesthood I have served Church of the Epiphany in Tunica, MS.
While in Tunica, I have participated in wider community events including serving as interim director of the Odessa Grant Food Pantry, mentoring in a local literacy program, serving as a Rotary Board member, and joining into many ecumenical gatherings of prayer, worship, and study. Also during this time, I have participated in the wider ministry of the church on a diocesan level by serving as Chaplain for the ECW and being elected to the Disciplinary Board and the Executive Committee.
I give thanks for the time that I have spent faithfully serving God and the people of Epiphany to the best of my ability, I look forward to following where God leads me and joining in walking the way of love with the people of St. John’s in Thibodaux as we join in the mutual ministry of making the love of Christ manifest in the world around us.
I look forward to settling down in Thibodaux with Buck the cat and making time to rekindle the joy that I find in cooking, gardening, and storytelling. While it is with sadness I move away from all those friendships and relationships I have formed in Mississippi, I look forward with joy and excitement to moving to the Diocese of Louisiana. It feels like I’m coming home.