Last month, we announced a search for a Canon for Transitions who will replace the Rev. Arlette Benoit Joseph when she leaves this summer for a position at The Church Pension Group. When Arlette announced her departure, I asked the Standing Committee (which acts as the Bishop’s Council of Advice) for their blessing in selecting a candidate immediately if they met certain qualifications. Those being: familiarity with our diocese, experience throughout the church and a deep faithfulness.
The ministry of transitions is too critical a calling in this day and time. As we vetted resumes from across the country, and received dozens of emails of interest, we kept coming back to someone in this diocese: The Rev. Jane Gober.
Jane currently serves as the rector of Christ Church in Ridley Park; served on The Board of Trustees since 2020; assisted in shepherding Serviam forward; and served as a deputy to General Convention. I was deeply impressed by her service on the Board and her thorough understanding of the needs of our churches serving as the Chair of the Mission Committee.
I have known Jane for many years. She loves Jesus and she loves people. She inspires them to be their best and likes to “get stuff done” (her own words.) As the daughter of Army officers, she has lived all over the country (and outside of it) adapting to whatever the situation.
Jane received her MDiv from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific and has experience leading congregations through pastoral leadership crisis and in interim ministry, as well as 20 years of experience in lifelong formation and ministry with young people. She has also served on committees at the denominational level and in ecumenical conference leadership.
This summer, Jane will overlap duties with Arlette, giving her time to learn the position and still meet the needs of her current parish with the goal of a full-time start in mid-August.
