January 12, 2025
Dear members of the Trinity community,
We are excited to announce that with the approval of the Vestry, and our Bishop Anne Jolly, the Rev. Jon M. Richardson has accepted the call to be the thirty-third Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, Toledo. Jon is currently serving as Rector at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Kinnelon, NJ, and his first Sunday at Trinity will be on March 16th.
Ordained in 2009, Jon received his undergraduate degree in History/Psychology/Religion at Louisiana State University, his Master of Divinity degree at Drew University, and a Diploma in Anglican Studies at The General Theological Seminary in New York City.
Jon grew up in Louisiana, son of a United Methodist pastor, and began experiencing the call to church leadership from childhood. His first formal exposure to the Episcopal Church was in college when he was a paid singer in his local parish choir. It was in the Episcopal Church that he finally found a home through the liturgy and community that nurtured him.
Jon is married to Michael who works as a realtor, is supportive of Jon’s ministry, and is active in church. When Jon and Michael are not at church, their next greatest passion is theatre. Michael is a talented director and choreographer, and Jon’s passion is more on production.
Jon enjoys solving problems to help the production staff realize their visions, a passion aligned with what he loves most about being a priest.
"In my own vocational journey one of the things that lures me most right now, is ministries that are ripe for growth and eager to explore new paths for sharing the Christian faith. I find myself most excited by congregations that are willing to wonder with me: what’s next? The church stands in an unfamiliar place, and we desperately need creative visioning and a willingness to experiment in and explore this new landscape."
Jon and Michael also have an 11-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Little Tino. We would not be surprised if we saw him hanging out in Jon’s office at Trinity, providing comfort to those who need a little unconditional love.
As we begin a new chapter in the life of Trinity, let us welcome Jon and Michael to our community with open arms, open hearts, and open minds so that we might see the new possibilities that God sets before us.
Faithfully yours,
Donna Steppe, Senior Warden
Jeffrey Albright, Junior Warden
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