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The Reverend J.R. Lander was welcomed by Faith Episcopal Church members late last month as their new Vicar and Priest-in-charge. He replaces The Reverend Kirby Smith who was recently assigned to St. Luke’s of the Mountains in La Crescenta.
“I am thrilled to be joining Faith Church. Faith is a community which clearly lives out the radical hospitality of Jesus. I look forward to representing Faith in the Laguna Niguel community, and helping Faith to grow into the beacon of hope I believe it is called to be,” said Lander.
J.R. is a life-long Episcopalian with passion for social justice, the nonprofit sector and leadership development. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but moved at a young age with his family to Jackson, Mississippi, which he still considers home. He is a graduate of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School which was recently named one of the top 20 independent schools in the United States.
J.R. studied Religion and History at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia and prepared for ordained ministry at The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in New York. He completed a Master degree in Public Administration at the University of Washington, where his degree project, “Stewardship among Young Adults in the Episcopal Church,” introduced him to the world of stewardship, fundraising and generosity.
The Reverend Lander has served parishes in Los Angeles and Washington. He is the current president of TENS (The Episcopal Network for Stewardship), an organization which helps Episcopal congregations in their efforts to raise funds, increase participation and inspire generosity.
Faith Episcopal Church is located at 27802 El Lazo in Laguna Niguel and services are held every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Faith Church also serves as the site of a weekly outreach dinner for homeless and at-risk every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.faithepiscopal.org.
Barbara Kimler
