St. Brigid’s embarks on a new ministry in participating in the formation of a future clergy member. Lancaster Moravian College, as well as the Commission on Ministry of our diocese, has approved St. Brigid’s as his field education site. Fr. John, as his mentor, meets with Bill ever week to reflect on his experiences. A small lay committee from the parish meets with him formally to provide him feedback on his approved goals. With a Mission Grant from the Diocese, St. Brigid’s compensates him for his travel expenses. Fr. John cites this as “an exciting and collaborative ministry for us and our diocese.”
Bill Stewart graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY in 1979 and worked at many dining locations over the next 40 years. He believes that his ministry began when he took a food service job at a Christian Conference Center 23 years ago. “My heart and vision for my co-workers became a call that has become clearer and more defined over the years. I consider my time there a very formative diaconate (with a small d),” he stated. A staff position at a school that teaches Spiritual Direction sharpened his call and led him toward ordained ministry.
Now in his third and final year at Lancaster Theological Seminary, Bill completed a year of field placement at St. Luke’s University Hospital and fulfilled the requirements for Clinical Pastoral Education for our Diocese. He received a Seminary award and an invitation to do a year-long residency.
For his second year of field placement, Bill will be joining us at St. Brigid’s, which he says reminds him of the parish where he and his wife grew up! He commented, “I sense my call to be in a small parish ministry in combination with chaplaincy and am so grateful for your support.” Together with Father John and members of the parish, Bill will prepare for the Diaconate and ordination by bringing the love of Christ to us through worship, scripture, formation, and outreach. He will receive feedback from a small lay committee on the progress of his approved goals.
Bill and his wife Peggy are originally from Branchburg, NJ, where they met in the third grade! They currently reside in East Stroudsburg in the Poconos. They have been married for 35 years and have three adult children. Bill still loves to cook and enjoys reading and spending time with his family.