St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Names New Reverend

From St. Paul’s Episcopal Church: Episcopal Bishop Ian Douglas will celebrate the naming of the Rev. Stephanie M. Johnson, as rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Riverside at a special service in the church 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 10.

“Rev. Johnson is a vibrant leader, expert on environmental issues, passionate youth minister and inspiring public speaker,” says Jonathan Wells of Cos Cob, senior warden at the church. “She brings a wealth of energy to St. Paul’s and to the Greenwich community. We are delighted to have her join us at St. Paul’s.”

Johnson’s appointment came after more than a year-long search by the church to find a new spiritual leader.

Following a career as a city planner, Johnson studied at Yale Divinity School and Cambridge University and was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 2010. She earned a master’s degree in sacred theology from Yale in 2013 and began work for the New England dioceses, serving at St. Ann’s in Old Lyme and St. Paul’s in Fairfield before coming to Riverside.

“St. Paul’s is a very active group of parishioners who love volunteering in the community and enjoying time in the great outdoors, God’s creation,” she says. “I am inspired by the number of people in the congregation who volunteer in this community, from the Land Trust to Neighbor to Neighbor to Inspirica to the Garden Club to Call a Ride. There isn’t a person in this parish who isn’t involved in Greenwich in meaningful ways, helping others, which I believe is part of our ministry beyond the church walls.”

Johnson is the co-author of A Life of Grace for the Whole World, a curriculum for children and adults on pastoral teaching on the environment.

“The book ties into an important element of life at St. Paul’s: its children’s ministry and day school,” says Johnson, who is known as ‘Rev. Steph’ to the kids. The church offers Sunday school and middle and high school groups, plus special programs, such as a teen mission trip to Costa Rica and a family retreat to Camp Washington, as well as its Day School with more than 100 children enrolled. “I love hearing the laughter and chatter of all the young children who are here at the Day School every week,” she says. “We’re also beginning a vacation art/bible camp this summer during the last week in June.”

Her new book, written with Jerry Cappel, was commissioned by the Bishops of New England as a curriculum for teaching people to care for creation. It outlines a five-week youth program with games, activities, and even using phones, all integrated with being out of doors. A coordinating adult program with reflection, prayer and artwork is included. St. Paul’s youth will participate in this program next fall.

A mother of two teenagers, Johnson brings her experience as a parent to her ministry. “I understand the pressures and joys of raising kids in this world,” she says. “I’m passionate about youth ministry. Life is challenging, and it’s important for parents to know that their teens have a place to belong. They’re coming to church, having fun and spending time in a comfortable place.”

Her leadership on environmental issues also is a key component of her ministry. In her early work with the Bishops of New England she created an energy-efficiency program called Turn Off the Lights, For God’s Sake. The campaign was designed to help people be intentional about conservation.

“I encourage people to think about doing small acts of gratitude for God and for God’s creation,” says Johnson, who is the co-chair of the National Church’s Council on Creation Care, senior fellow at Union Seminary’s Center for Earth Ethics and a part of the leadership circle of Eco America.

In addition to her pastoral care and ministry for the St. Paul’s parish, Johnson is known for her outreach to those who are struggling and living in poverty. Johnson has been involved in a program in New Haven called Chapel on the Green, a Sunday worship service and lunch program for people living on the street.

“I think that worshipping with people who are seeking the same things we are all seeking, even though they may be different, is very meaningful,” she says. “People may have different lifestyles and resources, but when we say the same prayers and share the same words in communion, we recognize how similar we really are.”

UPCOMING EVENTS AT ST. PAUL’S RIVERSIDE

• Celebration of New Ministry, May 10
• Father-Daughter Dance, June 10
• Vacation Art/Bible Camp, June 25-29
• Summer Concerts in the Courtyard, July 5, 12, 19 and 26
• Movies in the Meadow, outdoor movie screening, August 26

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