As you may know, Joe and Amy have been married for 20 years. We are truly very excited about Amy’s choice of an Associate and know that St. Anne’s is blessed to have such gifted priests to lead us.

Amy had discussions with several priests in the diocese who expressed interest in becoming Associate as St. Anne’s Church. Only Joe had the experience and gifts to best meet the needs of St. Anne’s. Amy and Joe worked together before, she as Rector and he as her Associate, in a parish in Milwaukee, WI. The Bishop there was not only most pleased with their work in that parish but he used them as a model for any ordained couple contemplating serving together. Amy spoke with our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton, of her intended choice before our Committee was formed. Molly Wilmer, on behalf of our Committee, spoke with Bishop Rabb, who said, “Bishop Sutton and I bless this [choice] without any reservations.”

Amy and Joe have discussed with each other, and with our committee, such issues as the long-term effect of the decision on their careers, how the decision might affect their marriage, and the need for both of them to get away periodically to renew themselves. Given their past history of working together, their strong marriage, and their complementary gifts, these issues are non starters.

Having Joe and Amy serve together at St. Anne’s solidifies their place in the community of both St. Anne’s and Annapolis. Although the specific role and tasks Joe will carry out will be determined by Amy, they both seek to capitalize on his gifts and skills.

Joe is a gifted preacher and winner of the 2010 John Hines Preaching Award; an award given annually to the outstanding preaching entry “where prophetic voice is central within the sermon.” As we have learned from Amy’s sermons, this gift will serve to further strengthen our faith family and inspire us as we seek to do God’s will.
Joe has strong interpersonal skills; these, together with his love of people, will expand the pastoral care available to all parishioners.
Joe is a good administrator who, having been a rector, knows what Amy needs in the way of support.
Joe is a theological scholar and teacher; he currently serves as an adjunct professor at Loyola teaching theology. He believes in a strong “cradle-to-grave” approach to Christian formation and that the education programs already available to our children and our youth are excellent. He feels called to develop a robust adult education program, one that can be used not only at St. Anne’s but serve as the model for adult education throughout the diocese.

Joe Pagano has more than five years experience as an ordained priest and holds a PhD in theology, as does Amy (they are the only priests in our Diocese holding PhDs in theology). He shares Amy’s level of commitment to her goals for St. Anne’s: to ensure we are theologically informed, spiritually transformed, and effectively reaching out to the world as the hearts and hands of Jesus Christ. Amy knows what Joe is capable of and how he can support her. Having him as her Associate Rector helps ensure that we can achieve these goals.

We pray that every member of St. Anne’s will joyfully and warmly welcome Joe to our faith family. May God bless Amy, Joe, and each of us as we strive to understand, accept, and do His will in all things.

Faithfully in the love of Jesus Christ,

Tad Wood
Molly Wilmer
Carolyn Sullivan
Harry Jones
Sylvia Lohr
Ned Criscimagna

P.S. – In the following weeks, additional information on our new Associate will be forthcoming in the Circle, on the web, and in a Q&A session that will be open to all parishioners. This session will give you an opportunity to ask Amy, Joe, and members of the Vestry and Associate’s Committee any questions you may have that have not been addressed in other forms.

Site Map