The Rector

Our minister is The Reverend Karen Johanns, who came to All Saints' in October 2008. Karen is a native of New Jersey although she lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 20 years. She comes to All Saints' from Trinity Episcopal Church in Reno NV, where she served as Assistant Rector and co-coordinator of youth ministries for the Episcopal parishes of the Reno/Sparks area and as the interim Diocesan Youth Coordinator. She is also the former Episcopal campus minister at the University of Nevada - Reno. Karen received her undergraduate degree summa cum laude in religion and history from Mount Holyoke College and her Master of Divinity from the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, CA. She has a wide array of church-related interests, including congregational development, youth ministry, and the history of doctrinal development in early Christianity. She is an Associate of St. Gregory's Abbey and is a member of the Society of Catholic Priests. Her theology of ministry is based on St. Francis' exhortation to "preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words."

Karen shares her life with her partner, Claire Dodds, and their four cats. For relaxation she reads, gardens, practices yoga, and goes fishing.

What's a Rector?

In the Episcopal Church the Rector is "the ecclesiastical authority" of a congregation, meaning that he or she has responsibility and authority over its worship and spiritual life subject to the rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer, the canons (rules) and constitution of the Episcopal Church, and the pastoral direction of the Bishop. The Rector also works closely with the Vestry in guiding the direction of a congregation and in maintaining its financial health.

The Vestry

The vestry is the legal representative of the parish with regard to all matters pertaining to its property and financial health. Vestry members are usually elected at the annual parish meeting and serve 3 year terms. The senior warden is a support person for the rector and is the leader of the vestry. The junior warden has responsibility for church property and buildings.

The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation; to support the church's mission, to select the rector, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances.