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Downingtown, Pa.

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You are here: Home / News / Fr. John Symonds – New Rector for St. James’

Fr. John Symonds – New Rector for St. James’

11/18/2015 by Web Admin

 On November 1, Dick McConnell , our Sr. Warden, and Laura Harting, the Chair of the Discernment Committee, announced that we have called Rev. John Symonds to be our next rector and he has accepted the position.

Father John will be with us before Christmas. Below is Father John’s bio and attached is a picture of him and one with his family.


Father John Symonds comes to us from St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Blair, Nebraska, where he has served for a little more than five years. His responsibilities as the Rector there included all aspects of parish spiritual leadership and administration for a family-sized parish. He also served as on-call Chaplain at Nebraska Medicine, Bellevue NE.

Prior to that, Father John served as Curate at St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster, PA and was also on-call Chaplain at Lancaster General Hospital.

Prior to ordination, Father John served as Recreation Director for the City of York, PA; Executive Director of the Lancaster County Conservancy; and Environmental Planner for the Montgomery County Planning Commission in Morristown.

His education included an Education Diploma in Anglican Studies from the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, where he was recipient of the Bishop Leo Alard Award in Hispanic Studies. He holds a Master’s of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, PA and a Bachelor of Science, Environmental Planning and Design from Cook College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.

Father John is married to Kimberly (Kim) Dawn Symonds and they have two children, Macayla Sanni Kai Symonds and David Sean Symonds. He and his family enjoy hiking, camping, running, soccer, traveling, reading, gardening, and the Pennsylvania Rail Road.

Fr John Symonds, wife Kimberly Dawn, and children Macayla Sanni Kai and David Sean
Fr John Symonds, wife Kimberly Dawn, and children Macayla Sanni Kai and David Sean
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