Meet our New Assistant Rector for Formation!

After much prayer, conversation, and consultation, I am happy to announce that Jessica T. Knowles has been called to be the new Assistant Rector for Christian Formation at All Saints’ – and she has said yes! God willing, she will be ordained to the transitional diaconate on June 19th at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Baltimore. This means she is in the final chapter of her process toward Episcopal priesthood - a journey to be complete most likely at the end of this year or in early 2011.

A native of Maryland and a birthright Episcopalian, Jess, as she prefers to be known, was recommended to us by Bishop Rabb. She graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from Towson University before completing her three-year education and Masters of Divinity degree at Virginia Theological Seminary in May. In seminary, her course work emphasized pastoral care, spiritual direction, Biblical studies, and practical theology. Jess was chaplain to her graduating class, a member of the Social Concerns committee and a leader in women’s prison ministry. She also completed a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, participating in a course at St. George’s College, Jerusalem on the “Palestine of Jesus.” During her seminary training, she also completed two years of field education and two summers of intensive ministry in parochial and hospital settings.

Jess says, “I am passionate about working with persons of all ages and backgrounds, but particularly children, in order to equip them with a solid Christian foundation.” In her first year of ministry among us she will focus primarily on the formation of children, youth, and their families. She will report directly to the Rector and will be mentored in the parish both by clergy and an advisory board, as well as participating in a new seminary-based mentoring program called “The Second Three Years.”

Her personal interests include photography, traveling, exercise and health, artistic journaling, movies and “spending time with my family.” I find Jess to be a vibrant, articulate woman of faith who is ready to teach and to learn alongside us. In the weeks and months ahead you will have several opportunities to meet, greet and get to know our new Assistant Rector. I invite all of you to extend a hearty welcome and an open heart to Jess, as she joins our clergy and staff team. May she, together with us, proclaim the Good News of God, as we seek to follow Jesus, the source of our healing and hope.

-The Rev. Thomas A. Momberg, Rector