By the grace of God and with the consent of the people, The Rt. Rev. Scott Mayer, Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth, will ordain Paula Kaye Jefferson to the sacred order of priests In Christ’s one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, at 5 o’clock in the evening.
The service at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Keller, will be streamed live and will continue to be available on The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth’s YouTube and Facebook pages.
People also may drive-in to St. Martin’s parking lot during the service and tune in on a mobile device or on the radio at 87.9 FM. Communion will be brought out to those participating in their vehicles. More information for Drive-In Worship is available here and you can read or download the bulletin here.
The text of the sermon can be found here on the afternoon of the service.
The offering at Jefferson’s ordination goes to her discretionary fund. Text 817-270-6880 with an amount + BENEVOLENCE to give or use the form here (scroll down the page) to give online. Please choose “Benevolence Fund” from the drop-down menu.
Jefferson’s story begins in a Pennsylvania village, where, she writes, “Village life instilled virtues like authenticity, loving my neighbor, and investment in life-long relationships. Church Street and Main Street were geographically and ethically connected. The integration of spiritual life and vocational life has been a keystone in my journey.”
Jefferson was born among the Appalachian Mountains, and says that her passion for hiking and stream fishing is undoubtedly genetic. She grew up in a musical family and loves classical music and opera. She enjoys cheering on the Texas Rangers and Penn State’s Nittany Lions (her alma mater). She lives with her dog, Dursey, in Bedford.
“As a young CPA, I imagined a CPA firm that intentionally interpreted CPA services, employment, and community participation as ministry. And then the firm became real. And it prospered. Yet God was drawing me to new things, and I was scrambling to keep up with God’s pull. In May of 2018, I received a Master of Divinity degree at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest (Austin). I come before you as a Candidate for Holy Orders–and as a person in awe of God’s loving engagement with Creation,” she wrote.
She has been serving as a deacon at St. Martin-in-the-Fields.