Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of four articles profiling female pastors in the city of Shawano. The women say they have an ecumenical relationship, getting together whenever they can to give each other support and friendship in their ministries. Today’s pastor is Mary Trainor of St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Q When did you know you wanted to be a minister?
A “I never sought to be a minister, but rather was called by God in 1989
and was obedient to my call. For a while I resisted my call. I was
content being a scientist, wife, mother and an active lay person in my
church. But God’s call was consistent, so I went forward, went to
seminary and was ordained. It is a wonderfully fulfilling vocation.”
Q What was your path to where you are now?
A “I grew up in Milwaukee and went to UW-Madison for college and then to
graduate school at University of California-Berkeley. My seminary was Trinity Episcopal
School for Ministry in Pennsylvania. Prior to serving in Shawano, I
served churches in the Diocese of the Rio Grande in New Mexico and
Texas. Our three children were raised in New Mexico, where my husband, Jim,
and I worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory. In the Episcopal Diocese
of Fond du Lac, I was serving as an assisting priest in Stevens Point and
then a supply priest. St. John’s Shawano was looking for a new vicar and
I had served here often as a supply priest so already had a good
relationship with the good people of this wonderful church. I have now
served as vicar of St. John’s for two and a half years.”
Q How have you been received as a female pastor?
A “Wonderfully. I can’t say enough good things about the St. John’s
congregation, both new members and members who have been at the church
for a while. They have been so welcoming, encouraging, supportive and
are active volunteers. Having a woman pastor is a bit of an adjustment
for people who have never experienced a woman leading worship and
preaching before, but this adjustment has been fast for the people for
whom this was new. Both men and women have spiritual gifts that are
needed in ministry, and God is calling both men and women into the
ordained ministry. The Episcopal Church has been ordaining women since
the early 1970s, but women have served significant roles in sharing the
good news of Christ and serving in Christian communities since the first
century.”
Q What are your plans for the future?
A “My plans are, with God’s help and the support of parishioners, to
remain as vicar at St. John’s until I reach retirement age. I enjoy
meeting with some of the other pastors in Shawano and look forward to
more community involvement. I also plan to remain active in diocesan
activities, including serving on committees and as mentor of Education
for Ministry, a three-hour per week seminary for lay people. And in my spare
time I look forward to continuing my other interests, too, being a
grandmother, hiking and kayaking, yoga, quilting, volunteer work at
Hartman Creek State Park, and playing the accordion.”
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