Welcome! St. Patrick's Episcopal Church in Pooler exists to bring people into a meaningful and loving relationship with Jesus Christ through worship, ministry, teaching, and fellowship. We worship together as a community of believers. We nurture the faith of our members and serve our community in a variety of ways including children's and adult education programs, youth programs, participation in a food pantry for the hungry, and other programs. We hope you stop by for a visit. Come see what we are building!
St. Patrick's is pleased to announce that the Rev. Joshua Varner has been called to serve as our full-time vicar.
Joshua grew up in Chapel Hill, NC and is a lifelong Episcoplian. He attended Sewanee, the University of the South, majoring in religion and music, and then earned an M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School and an M.Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary.
Joshua began his ordained ministry as Assistant to the Rector at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Durham, NC. After serving the parish for three years, he was called to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Greensboro, NC, where he served for seven years. In both parishes Joshua had particular responsibility for ministry with children, youth, and their families; while also sharing in the liturgical, pastoral and administrative duties of the parish.
He met his wife, Elizabeth at Sewanee. They have been married for 12 years and have 2 children, Benjamin (7) & Laura (4). Elizabeth grew up in Trinity Episcopal Church in Statesboro, GA and was active in the youth programs of The Diocese of Georgia. Joshua's hobbies include hiking, making music, reading, practicing yoga and biking. The family also enjoys getting together for gatherings with extended family and for social outings with friends.
Joshua cares deeply for the community, both for the Body of Christ as a whole and for the individuals and families that are its parts. He writes "some of my most powerful ministry takes place through the pastoral care I can offer in everyday moments and times of crisis, when I seek to convey God's love to those who are in need".
Joshua went on to write, that he seeks to form a community that not only cares for its members but also embraces opportunities to serve others. He and Elizabeth look forward to moving to Pooler and being active in the community as well as the church itself.
Joshua and his family look forward to starting their new life in Pooler this summer.
