----------------Fr. Mike Neufeld-------------------
Personal:
- Born and raised in New York City
- Married to the Rev'd Ellen C. Neufeld
Education:
- 1974 – BA Psychology – Seton Hall University
- 1975 – Graduate Theology – St Michael’s College
- 1976-77 – Christ the King Seminary
- 1983 – MA Theology – Fordham University
- 1993 – Diploma Anglican Studies – General Seminary
How God Called Me:
I was raised in a serious Christian home, although one that was not without its challenges and brokenness. I was raised with the fear of God and in fact knew a great deal of fear in my life into adulthood. The love of God was able to conquer much of this fear, as I came to know the depths of our Savior Jesus Christ’s saving love, as I found true life in His cross and resurrection.
In some way, I always knew I was called to active ministry. Since my college days, I have sought to serve the Lord and His people, as a Parish Christian Educator, as Director of a Church run group home, and as a minister to the homeless at one of the largest soup kitchens in the United States.
While each of these experiences was wonderful, none expressed the call I was given. My “yes” to the call to become a Priest and my willingness to undergo the long and quite often painful process toward Ordination has formed in me a deeper faith, a clear sense of my own gifts, as well as my deficiencies and failings. (God can often work more through our weaknesses than He can through our strengths.)
By the grace of God, I was ordained a Deacon and a Priest in 1994. I have served in two parishes as an Assistant Priest as well as 3 wonderful years as an Army Chaplain.
Coming to St Andrew’s:
Coming to St Andrew’s has been like coming home. This has been the perfect place for me and I hope that I have been able to give even a fraction of what the people here have given to me. The last eight years have been the greatest years of my life and I look forward to many more.
----------------Mother Jackie Jones----------------
I was born in Amsterdam, NY on August 6th 1956. I only weighed 3lbs, 5 oz. God was working miracles in my life from the very beginning. I grew up in Johnstown, NY, in a loving adoptive home. I went to Johnstown schools and earned an Associate Degree in Human Services from Fulton-Montgomery Community College, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude as Salutatorian. I transferred to SUNY Potsdam, where I pursued studies in Psychology, Anthropology and Music. I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Minor in Anthropology. I also received a Master of Science of Education from the College of St. Rose.
For several years I worked in various human service positions; working with women, children and families. I married in 1985 and moved to Texas, to accompany my husband, who was in the U.S. Army. In 1987, I returned to the area. At that time I ran an after school program for seriously emotionally disturbed adolescents, at St. Mary’s Hospital, in Amsterdam. In 1989, I gave birth to my daughter, Stephanie, who recently turned 21 years old. I received my credential as an alcoholism and substance abuse counselor in 1990 and received my license as a mental health counselor in 2005.
Several years later, I became commissioned as a Deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, where I preached and taught adult education. In 2001 I was received into the Episcopal Church. At that time I was a member of St. John’s, Johnstown, where I was a member of the choir, taught adult education and volunteered at the Alpha Pregnancy program in Schenectady.
In 2003, I acknowledged and answered God’s call to the priesthood. I began my seminary studies at St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry, at its satellite program in Albany. I was ordained as a transitional Deacon in 2007. Six months later I was ordained a priest on December 2, 2007. I served as Vicar at Trinity, Gloversville until July 2009, when Trinity was closed.
In August 2008, I faced life threatening illness and was hospitalized for a total of 4 months. The Good Lord heard and answered many hundreds of prayers for healing. I was miraculously restored, to the glory of God.
In May 2010 I began serving with Fr. Mike and Deacon Mary Carol. I believe that I am right where God wants. I plan to move from Gloversville to be nearer St. Andrew’s, so I can be more involved in ministry.
---------------------Deacon MaryCarol Hart--------------------
Personal:
- Born, Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, NY.
- Cradle Episcopalian and lifelong Scotia resident.
- Married to the Rev. Alan R. Hart at St. Andrew’s, Scotia, May 22, 1994.
Education:
- 1974 graduate of Scotia-Glenville High School.
- Education For Ministry @ St George’s Church, Clifton Park, NY.
- Deacon School @ St. Andrew’s, Scotia. Ordained June 10, 2006.
How God Called Me:
Since childhood, I have felt the need to be a caretaker and to be of service to others. (My childhood idol was Eleanor Roosevelt.) The call to the Diaconate seemed to me an extension of this feeling. Even so, it was while the Rev. Mary Chilton was Priest-in-Charge at St. Andrew’s that the process actually began. She encouraged me and recommended that I read the Acts of the Apostles to learn more about the ministry of deacons. After much prayer, time, and thought, I felt the nudge to move forward, and was very pleased and humbled when the Vestry agreed to present me as a candidate. Their support, and the support of the entire congregation, continues to be invaluable; the ministry of the Diaconate is an ongoing process. While reading and studying Holy Scripture helps me to grow and mature in faith, I find that those to whom I minister have much to offer me in knowledge and in the sharing of their faith with me. I look forward to ministering and being ministered unto at St. Andrew’s for years to come.
