Lael, Sorensen: Priest and Rector

Lael Sorensen is an Episcopal priest and began as Rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Rockland, Maine, in 2015. Prior to St. Peter’s, Lael served as Assistant Rector at Grace Church, Silver Spring, Maryland, and as chaplain at Christiana and Wilmington Hospitals in Delaware.

A native Californian, Lael was raised in New Jersey and attended schools in Massachusetts and Michigan but underwent her most important spiritual formation in Maine, where she was sponsored for ordination.

She holds a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School and Diploma in Anglican Studies from The Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. She is especially interested in practical theology for daily living, Ignatian spirituality, liturgy and music, and has a lifelong commitment to social justice.

Her sermons and other reflections can be found on her blog: For the Fullness of Joy.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Telephone: 207-594-8191

Email: rector.stpetersrockland@gmail.com

11 White Street, Rockland, ME 04841

Barbara Jean O’Brien: Music Director

As Music Director, Barbara Jean O’Brien is the organist, choir director, and coordinator of outreach musical activities with the community, which currently includes special services, such as an All-Souls Community Evensong, Christmas Lessons and Carols, and other choral community gatherings.

Barbara Jean holds masters degrees in Music and Liberal Studies. She works in Maine and New Hampshire as a piano teacher, accompanist, church musician, vocalist, chamber musician, and music-thanatologist. Her therapeutic work was recently highlighted in the Bangor Daily News.

Jim Bowditch: Co-Senior Warden

A longtime member of St. Peter’s, Jim brings a wealth of experience in the greater Episcopal Church, having served as an EFM (Education for Ministry) mentor, member of the board of trustees of the Episcopal Divinity School, and missioner for Stewardship and Planned Giving for the Diocese of Maine.

Jim also has been active locally in leadership positions with the PenBay Y, the Methodist Conference Home, and the Camden Rotary. He is a retired professor and dean. He and his wife Felicity, co-directors of the Coastal Children’s Museum in Rockland, have three adult children. His hobbies are baking, gardening, walking, sailing, and playing golf badly.

Joe Cox: Co-Senior Warden

Joe Cox grew up in Downeast Maine and studied Marine Engineering at Maine Maritime Academy, spending 18 years working in various Marine Engineer positions while going to sea. Joe left seagoing life in 2004 and is now self-employed. He is a widower and was married to Elizabeth Biddle (1959-2011) with whom he has two children, Xiara and Rebecca. Xixi is currently in the 7^th grade at CRMS and Rebecca is finishing high school in Seville, Spain. Joe has been a member of St. Peter’s since 2000 and is our current chair of the Budget & Finance Committee.

Kate Gabriel-Jones: Administrative Assistant

Kate Gabriel-Jones has served as an Administrative Assistant for St.  Peter’s Episcopal Church of Rockland since June, 2010.

Our Vestry (governing board)

Co-Senior Wardens: Jim Bowditch and Joe Cox

Junior Warden: Judith Haines-Carter

Treasurer: Paul Rogers

Members:

Mary Alice McLean (Community Collaboration)

David Grima (Christian Formation and Renewal)

Liz Hunt (Liturgy and Worship)

Manette Pottle  (Spiritual Practices and Growth)

Other Lay Ministry Leaders at St, Peter’s

Altar Guild & Flower Guild Coordinator: Rhonda Hart

Budget & Finance Committee: Mary Alice Bird

Buildings and Grounds: Paul Rogers

Episcopal Church Women: Gloria Young

Delegates to the Diocesan Convention: Marty Rogers, Harold Van Lonkhuyzen, and Judith Haines-Carter

Alternate Delegates: Joan Welsh and Lucia Elder