VicAr sarajean GraiNson

Our family moved to West Grove, PA, from Long Island, NY, a little over a year ago when my husband was called to serve as the Senior Pastor of St. Michael Lutheran Church in Unionville in June 2022. Living in Pennsylvania is a new experience for us, and we are enjoying it. We are a family of six children and two grandsons, Liam and Oliver. The three eldest children are from my first marriage, and they are all successful adults who live independently. Their names are Nick, Christine, and Jeanna. My husband, David, and I have three teenage sons: Luke, who is 16, and twins Matthew and David, who are 14.

I also serve the Community of Love Lutheran Church as their Vicar. I'm grateful to the church for becoming a Theological Education for Emerging Ministries (TEEM) site. To provide you with my background and experience, I'm a seminarian at United Lutheran Seminary, working towards my Master of Divinity. In March 2023, I was commissioned by the ELCA National Church as a mission developer.

I bring 35 years of ministry experience as a salaried worker and a volunteer. I was consecrated as a Synodical Deacon with the New York Metropolitan Synod ELCA in 2016. During my formation to become a synodical deacon, I completed a two-year program, the Diakonia/Growing in Faith program, and graduated. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Community and Human Services.

Throughout my career, I have worked extensively in the service field. I served as the Life Teen Coordinator at St. Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church for six years. My vocation in youth ministry eventually led me to case management work. I spent two years as a case manager for the Family and Children's Association during the 9/11 attacks, overseeing the allocation of FEMA funding for victims' families. Subsequently, I worked as a case manager for the severely mentally ill population with Federated Employment and Guidance Services (FEGS) for six years.

Having met the requirements of the TEEM process and in response to God’s call, I eagerly anticipate being ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament, dedicated to serving the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. I take great pride in being part of this community. Community of Love has been a warm and supportive environment, and I am appreciative of the ongoing support for my vocation. It is my honor and privilege to serve God and my fellow believers. As I follow the path generously set by our God, I look forward to serving as Vicar and hope to be of service to the entire Community of Love.

.Peace and Blessings,

Vicar Sarajean Grainson