First Female Presiding Bishop to deliver lecture at St. Paul's

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The Right Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori, 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church and the first woman elected to that role, will visit St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Old Town Alexandria (228 S. Pitt St.) to deliver the church's annual Martha J. Horne Lecture on Sunday, January 20 at 10 a.m. in Norton Hall. Bishop Jefferts Schori will also serve as celebrant at the 11 a.m. service at St. Paul's on the 20th.

At this year's Martha Horne Lecture, Bishop Jefferts Schori will deliver a talk entitled: “Transformation in the Episcopal Church: Leadership development and beloved community in the 21st century.”

Bishop Jefferts Schori served a nine-year term as Presiding Bishop from 2006-2015. Her career as an oceanographer preceded her studies for the priesthood, to which she was ordained in 1994. She is also an active, instrument-rated pilot – a skill she applied when traveling between the congregations of the Diocese of Nevada, where she was elected bishop in 2000 and ordained to the episcopate February 24, 2001. At the time of her election as bishop of Nevada, she was a priest, university lecturer, and hospice chaplain in Oregon. Following her tenure, she has served as an assisting bishop to the Diocese of San Diego since 2017.

St. Paul's Annual Martha J. Horne Lecture was established to recognize and celebrate the significant contributions that Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) Dean Martha J. Horne has made to the education and formation of many women and men for service in the Church. Her efforts to prepare students have been significant and far-reaching. These lectures strive to honor the commitment she made to VTS during her 13 years as Dean and President, and to St. Paul's through her long-standing ministry as a Parish Associate. The lecture typically takes place in late winter.

About St. Paul's Episcopal Church
St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, is a parish of over 3,000 people, blessed with a beautiful house of worship and a powerful sense of our calling to "shine as a light in the world to the glory of God." For over 200 years, St. Paul's has served the Alexandria community through our services, education, outreach, and Christian fellowship. From our historic roots in Old Town Alexandria to our commitment to moving beyond the familiar and embracing new missions, we worship in the midst of history—but are not its captive. We rejoice in all those who come to St. Paul's for prayer, spiritual growth, and service, whether as visitors, friends, or members.

For more information on St. Paul's Church, please visit stpaulsalexandria.com.

(Photo credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)