I was blessed to grow up in a family where God was always present. Some of my earliest memories are of my mom reading to us from our Children's Bible. I remember falling in love with the stories. They seemed so ancient and mysterious, and called to me in a way no other stories did. And my mom also let us have chewing gum (I'm not quite sure why) while she was reading the stories, which added immensely to my enjoyment!

 

It may sound funny, but the evolution of my spiritual life is very linked with my "show business" life. Let me explain. My mom tells me my first real theatrical experience was playing an angel at the age of three in the Little People Nursery School Christmas pageant, and it was, of course, typecasting at its best. Or so she says. I was always interested in performing and actually learned how to sing while playing a nun in the chorus of "The Sound of Music" in high school. Before that I had always wanted to sing, but somehow in that beautiful show I found my voice. When I was in grade school and high school my best friend was Jewish, and I became in effect an "honorary" member of Temple Sholom, attending many events and even took some confirmation classes just to be with my friend and because I liked our local rabbi so much. We did a great course in world religions and my knowledge and appreciation of other religions and cultures began to grow. During my senior year in high school I was privileged to be part of an exchange program to Russia, and saw first-hand how a "religion-free" state operated. It increased my appreciation of our ability here in the U.S. to worship as we want. Or not! The appreciation of the ability to decide for oneself was again fostered in my by this experience.

 

In the small town in which I grew up, I had the opportunity to be in local theater, and my experiences acting in both "Godspell" and "Jesus Christ Superstar" were truly much more religious experiences for me than theater ones. I began to feel an even closer connection with the Jesus I had learned about as a little child, and became intrigued with Jesus the man, Jesus the complex personality, the Jesus who could possibly be a savior for me. It was during this time that I decided to major in theology for my undergraduate degree and did so at Providence College, graduating in 1999. I was fortunate to be able to spent my junior year at Oxford University reading theology and meeting so many wonderful people involved in church life there. In college I truly became to feel like I was called to the priesthood. Knowing that I could not fulfill this role as a Roman Catholic, I explored membership in the Episcopal Church and applied to Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. The members of my discernment committee at Saint John's Episcopal in New Milford, Connecticut, my home town were so welcoming and kind. A few of them were actually former teachers of mine from elementary school who knew me well, and they helped me so much in my process. I graduated from Yale in May 2002 with a Master's in Divinity, and married Bill Lederman in July 2002!I am thrilled to be going into my Sixth Year here at St. Thomas's as the Associate Rector and Day School Chaplain. Seven years ago St. Thomas's had a vision for expanding its work with children and I was fortunate enough to be called by Fr. Ray (three days before my wedding!) to head up this ministry. My work at St. Thomas's has become such a blessing for me! It has taught me that children aren't the church of tomorrow, but rather are the church of today. The full inclusion of children in our lives here - living out the baptismal covenant -- from our Children's Sundays, to our Sunday School, to our Youth Group, even to our "Soft Play area" for wee ones, children are included in every aspect of church.

 

But more than that, St. Thomas's has become home for me and my family. In my time here, many significant events have happened that have changed my life. In 2004 I was ordained to the deaconate and then in 2005 to the priesthood, allowing me to live more completely in my ministry. I learned on a very personal level what a truly special place this is since having my own two sons. Saint Thomas is not only inclusive and welcoming of people of all colors, spiritual leanings and yearnings, sexual identities, ages, shapes and sizes, but is also the most child-friendly church I have ever seen! My sons know that they are loved and welcomed here, and that a little noise lifted up to the Lord is a beautiful gift, not a distraction. My entire family, including my parents and my in-laws, feel very welcome and at home at Saint Thomas. My wish is to extend that feeling to everyone who comes through the doors of our church and our school, and that the real meaning of meeting around the table -- the real meaning of the Last Supper -- can be experienced by all who come here.