The Rev. Dr. John S. Paddock
I became Rector of Christ Church in August, 1999, and am committed to ministry in the city. Born in Rochester, NY, I attended public schools in Athens, Sedalia, and Columbus, Ohio. I spent my senior year of high school as an exchange student in Stockholm, Sweden. Higher education includes a B.A. from the University of Rochester, Master of Divinity from The Episcopal Theological Seminary in Virginia, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton. My thesis title: Reframing the Dialogue on Racism in America in a Parish Setting.
I have served parishes in Whitehall, Ohio; Greenville, Ohio, Great Barrington, Massachusetts; and Bath, Maine. My wife Ann and I have eight children. Over the years we've have had over eighty foster children live in our home. Our commitment to the city includes having our residence in Dayton and sending our children to Dayton Public Schools. (Our children range in age from 32 to 3 -- six adoptions figure in there).
I have two consuming passions. The first is to seek ways to reframe Christianity in ways that speak to comtemporary people. This entails being open to new knowledge and discoveries in every area of human endeavor. And it requires openness to God's Spirit as she leads us into God's future. My second passion is to reach out to the poor, the disenfranchised, the weak, and the victims of the powers that be: racism, empire, sexism, homophobia, global capital and all other forms of discrimination and injustice.
I do take time away from Church and work to be with my family. I love to travel . . . especially to the Sierras or the Rocky Mountains to ski. We have two adult children living in Europe, but so far have only been able to engineer one trip to Germany and England. Other leisure pursuits include enjoying music and reading. As a baby boomer I am becoming more comfortable with computing and the WEB. There might even be a blog in my future!
I am often asked how I should be addressed. I was baptized "John." That works for me. Some of the children at church call me "Father John." That works, too. I'm not a particularly formal person, so I'm easy on the forms of address. So do what's comfortable for you.
I would love to hear your story. Call or email to set up a time.
John Paddock