Episcopal Press and News

Joy E. Rogers appointed provost of St. James Cathedral in Chicago

Episcopal News Service. March 27, 2007 [032707-05]

Bishop William Persell of the Diocese of Chicago has appointed the Rev. Dr. Joy E. Rogers as provost of St. James Cathedral.

Rogers, rector of St. Thomas parish in Battle Creek, Michigan since 1995, will begin her new ministry as the chief pastor of the 450-member cathedral congregation on May 15.

Prior to her call to St. Thomas, Rogers served at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Evanston, a North Shore Chicago suburb. She was ordained priest in 1985 by then Bishop of Chicago Frank Griswold, and served as curate and then associate rector for three years. Her ministry in Chicago also included a term as member of the Cathedral Chapter.

Rogers says she is intrigued by the ministry possibilities for the Cathedral, its diverse membership, and the energy and vision of the warden and chapter. She also looks forward to helping frame the role of the cathedral in the community and diocese.

"An ongoing challenge for the cathedral congregation is to integrate their identity as a parish church with their vocation as people of the cathedral," said Rogers. "A corollary to that is how the cathedral can be a unifying force for the diocese as a whole."

A native of Pennsylvania and life-long Episcopalian, Rogers earned a Master of Divinity degree in Parish Ministry and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Homiletics from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, where she now serves as a Trustee. She is married to Nathaniel Rogers and is the mother of Amy and Jonathan, and the grandmother of Adelle Joy.

A welcome liturgy in celebration of her new ministry will take place at the cathedral on June 3.