Autobiographical Information for

The Rev. Emily S. Gibson 
 

      This year marks the 25^th year of my ordination to the diaconate and priesthood; I was ordained transitional deacon by the Rt. Rev. Frederick B. Wolf on May 28, 1983, and to the priesthood by the Rt. Rev. John S. Spong on December 9, 1983. I went through the process in the Diocese of Maine, sponsored by Christ Church, Norway.

      Prior to seminary and ordination, I was a nurse, graduating from the University of Southern Maine in 1975, and worked at hospitals in Portland, Lewiston, and Norway, prior to spending a year working in a rural clinic in Honduras. My father’s side of the family settled in West Paris in the early 1800’s, and members of the family, including my parents, still live on or near the original property on the top of Stearns Hill (the family name), located between the towns of South Paris and West Paris.

      I am thrilled to be back in the Diocese of Maine; although Bishop Wolf would allow women in the process of ordination, we could not work here once ordained. My first job after seminary was Curate at St. Paul’s Church, Chatham, New Jersey. I learned the ropes of parish ministry in that setting along with working with two youth groups, teaching confirmation classes, working in pastoral care, adult education, and involvement with both community and diocesan organizations.

      After three years at St. Paul’s, I was called as Assistant Rector at Christ Church, Corning, New York. My work in youth ministry, pastoral care, parish life, adult education, and community and diocesan involvement continued, and I was also responsible for establishing a partner relationship with a parish in Haiti. I became Interim Rector at Christ Church after the rather abrupt resignation of the Rector, and concluded the capital fund drive and accessibility renovations to the church and other parish buildings.

      In 1991 I was called as Rector to St. Alban’s Church, Syracuse, where I spent the next fifteen years. At St. Alban’s I continued my work in parish administration, liturgy, pastoral care, youth ministry, and especially in adult education. I was also involved, once again, in both diocesan and community efforts, most notably in the InterReligious Council of Central New York, where I served on the board and a number of other committees, and finally as President of the Board. In the Diocese, I served as District Dean, Ecumenical Officer, mentor for the local deacon and priest training program, and active in the companion relationship with the Diocese of El Salvador.

      In 2006 my husband, David Andrews, was called to be Rector of Trinity Church, Castine, and I was eager for this change both in residence and work in ministry. I was interested in doing interim work, and have just completed my first interim in the Diocese, having served as Interim Rector at St. Brendan the Navigator in Stonington. I am working toward credentialing in interim ministry from the Clergy Leadership Institute, and am delighted with this new direction in my ministry.

      Besides my work in ministry, I enjoy a number of different pursuits, including gardening, golf, music, skiing, cat wrangling, and practicing my Spanish when I can.

      I look forward to our time together at St. Patrick’s, and pray that this relationship will be fruitful in discerning God’s leading for its future.