GLOUCESTER CITY -The lay governing board of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Gloucester City, has announced the appointment of The Rev. Deborah H. Piggins as Interim Rector.
In her new capacity, Mother Deborah will perform not only traditional clerical duties, but also guide the parish and serve as a resource in its search for a permanent rector.
The appointment follows the official approval of The Rt. Rev. George E. Councell, Episcopal Bishop for the New Jersey Diocese.
A native of Caldwell, Mother Deborah was most recently chaplain at St. Luke\’s Hospital, Bethlehem, PA, and Arcadia Hospice, Allentown.
She received her Master of Divinity at The General Theological Seminary, New York City, and earned her Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees in labor studies at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. She has also served as Assistant Priest for Outreach and Formation at Calvary Episcopal Church in Flemington, been active with numerous civic and community programs in New York City and northern and central New Jersey, and served as supply priest for the Diocese of Bethlehem.
\”I\’m delighted to be part of the Church of Ascension family as it begins a period of transition,\” Mother Deborah noted. \”The Church has a proud tradition serving the residents of Gloucester City and surrounding communities, and there are countless opportunities to expand the Church\’s mission of being a welcoming, diverse parish meeting the spiritual needs of its members.
\”Ascension is a wonderful Church serving a hard-working community, and my hope is that the parish will continue to be a strong resource and source of support for its neighbors,\” she added.
Located at Ridgeway and Sussex streets, the Church celebrated its 160th year of incorporation in 2006.
Its 185 members live locally and in communities as far away as Wildwood Crest. It is one of 164 parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey.
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