09/02/2026
St. John's Episcopal Church would love to introduce you to the people who help us worship, learn, serve, and grow together, aka our incredible clergy and staff!
We thought we'd get started with a familiar face, our rector, Fr. Lonnie Lacy. In his own words, here are the answers to a few questions:
+What does your title mean?
In Episcopal-speak, a rector is simply the priest who leads a parish. But the word comes from the Latin rector, related to rex (“king”), and I’ve never loved that. I’ve always preferred the word pastor because it’s rooted in the image of a shepherd: someone who lives among the sheep, loves them, and, if necessary, lays down his life for them. The shepherd serves the sheep, not the other way around.
+What is something you’re excited about in your ministry at St. John’s?
I’m excited about the future we’re building together. St. John’s has an extraordinary history, but it isn’t living in the past. God is still shaping us, stretching us, and opening new doors for ministry. I have a growing sense that he’s preparing us for something really beautiful—not just for the sake of this parish, but for the sake of our city.
+What haven't you been asked that you really want to mention?
Your name is important to me because you are important to me. Unfortunately, my first bout with COVID several years ago robbed me of some of my short-term memory, and name retention is one of the casualties. So if I ever blank on yours—even if we’ve met several times—please know it’s my memory, not my heart. And if you have a nametag, wear it! You’ll be helping your forgetful rector.
