Father James N. Parker

The Reverend James N. Parker was ordained priest in 1998 after serving as a vocational deacon  in the Diocese of Georgia for 16 years. He served Saint George's as interim Rector beginning in February of 2001 until being called as full-time Rector in January 2004. He has served in several parishes since being ordained out of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Savannah, where he served the first four years of his diaconate. Assigned to Saint Thomas Episcopal Church in Savannah for three years, his principal responsibilities included assisting at Sunday worship, and responsibility for the Junior/Senior EYC program.

Fr. Parker then joined The Reverend Paul Hoornstra and assisted him in the formation and early development of Saint Peter's Episcopal Church, Skidaway Island. His ministry was interrupted by a tour of duty in the Emirate of Kuwait during and after the Gulf War. Upon his return he continued at Saint Peter's until reassigned to Saint Paul's upon Father Hoornstra's retirement. He served at Saint Paul's until being assigned to Saint Elizabeth's in 1994.

As Deacon in Charge of Saint Elizabeth's he led the congregation in building a new parish church, expanding the existing parish hall facility, establishing a viable adult and youth Christian Education program, conducting regular Sunday worship (as well as seasonal and special observances) and building up the parish community. Average Sunday attendance increased from 28 to almost 100 during his three year tenure.

Father Parker has served in a variety of Diocesan capacities. He is a past member and President of the Standing Committee. He has been a member and past chair of the Youth Commission and has served on the staff of several Happening weekends and as Spiritual Director at Cursillo #103. He is a past member of the Ecumenical Commission and presently serves on the Liturgy Commission. He served as Diocesan Master of Ceremonies for many years. Presently he serves as a consultant in parish redevelopment. He is also a consultant in media relations and public communications to the diocese.

Father Parker is a past president of the Coastal Food Bank, and a prior board member of the Savannah Inner City Night Shelter. He has served on the cabinet of the United Way of the Coastal Empire and is immediate past chair of the Federal Community Coordinating Council of the Combined Federal Campaign. He served three years on the Chatham County social services grants committee.

Father Parker is presently completing his Master of Sacred Theology Program at the School of Theology, University of the South. He holds a BA degree from Augusta State University and an MS degree from Boston University. As a bi-vocational deacon and priest for many years, Father Parker also served as the Chief of Public and Legislative Affairs for the Savannah District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers until retiring in November, 2003 after 30 years of Federal Service.

He has participated in several significant  relief efforts including seven months in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as part of the team that provided emergency reconstruction services to the Emirate of Kuwait following Operation Desert Storm.

Father Parker is married to the former Leslie Ware of Augusta, Georgia, a past president of the Diocesan Episcopal Church Women.

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