A slideshow of a special day:
The Rev. Robin Woodberry's ordination
The Rev. Robin Woodberry's ordination
Thanks to David Rotthoff, Rick Senften, Nancy Suba and Maureen Major for capturing key moments of the preparation, ordination and first service for our new priest-in-charge, Mother Robin Woodberry.
Prepping for the big day
The Rev. Robin Woodberry celebrates Holy Eucharist on Trinity Sunday, her first as priest-in-charge at St. Paul's
FAQs about ordination and the Episcopal Church
(Condensed from the Book of Common Prayer and “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church”)
The Ordination Service
The services of ordination include a presentation of the ordinand to the bishop; the ordinand’s Declaration of Consent stating her belief in the scriptures and conformity to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Episcopal Church; the people’s consent to the ordination and their promise to uphold the ordinand in the new ministry; the Litany for Ordinations; lessons and sermon; the examination of the candidate; the singing of the hymn “Veni Creator Spiritus” or “Veni Sancte Spiritus”; a period of silent prayer; the prayer of consecration and laying on of hands by the ordaining bishop or bishops; vesting of the newly ordained person; and participation in the eucharist by the newly ordained person.
When a bishop confers Holy Orders, at least two priests (presbyters) must be present. From the beginning of the service until the Offertory, the bishop presides from a chair placed close to the people, facing them, so that all may see and hear what is done. The ordinand is vested in surplice or alb, without stole or other vestment denoting ecclesiastical or academic rank or order.
During the Prayer of Consecration, the bishop and priests lay their hands upon the head of the ordinand. During the laying on of hands, the bishop alone says, “Father, through Jesus Christ your Ordination Son, give your Holy Spirit to Robin, fill her with grace and power, and make her a priest in your Church.”
When they have laid their hands upon all the ordinands, the bishop continues “May they exalt you, O Lord, in the midst . . .” The stole worn about the neck, or other insignia of the office of priest, is placed upon the new priest after the entire Prayer of Consecration. A Bible is given to the new priest, who takes part in the exchange of the Peace, and joins the bishop and other priests at the altar for the Great Thanksgiving.
At the Offertory, the bread and wine are brought to the Altar by the family and friends of the newly ordained. At the Great Thanksgiving, the new priest and other priests stand at the Altar with the bishop, as associates and fellow ministers of the Sacrament, and communicate with the bishop. The family of the newly ordained may receive Communion before other members of the congregation.
Laying on of Hands is an external sign of the bestowal of God's grace, whether for spiritual growth or ministry or forgiveness or healing.
Prostration is lying full length and face down on the floor or ground as a gesture of humility and devotion. This posture may also express adoration or submission.
Vestments
Vestments are the distinctive garments worn by leaders of the church’s worship. Many are descended from the ordinary dress of the imperial Roman society in which the early church came into being.
• The alb (derived from the Latin “alba,” meaning white) is a long white garment with narrow sleeves worn by ordained and lay ministers
• A stole is a sign of office that indicates that the wearer is an ordained person. Bishops and priests wear the stole over both shoulders, and deacons typically wear the stole over the left shoulder.
• The chasuble is a sleeveless outer vestment worn at the eucharist. It typically reflects the liturgical color of the day and vary widely in fabric and style.
• Bishops may wear distinctive episcopal vestments, including the miter. A purple shirt with a clerical collar usually indicates that the wearer is a bishop, and a black shirt with a clerical collar usually indicates that the wearer is a member of the clergy.
The shared and differing roles of priests and deacons
A deacon exercises “a special ministry of servanthood” directly under the deacon's bishop, serving all people and especially those in need. As they proclaim the gospel, lead intercessions, wait at the eucharistic table and direct the order of the assembly, deacons act as sacred messengers, agents, and attendants. In addition to those ordained deacon as a permanent vocation, there are “transitional deacons” ordained as a preliminary step toward ordination as a priest.
Priests are also known as presbyters. The Catechism notes that “the ministry of a priest or presbyter” is “to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as pastor to the people; to proclaim the gospel; to administer the sacraments; and to bless and declare pardon in the name of God.”
(Condensed from the Book of Common Prayer and “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church”)
The Ordination Service
The services of ordination include a presentation of the ordinand to the bishop; the ordinand’s Declaration of Consent stating her belief in the scriptures and conformity to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Episcopal Church; the people’s consent to the ordination and their promise to uphold the ordinand in the new ministry; the Litany for Ordinations; lessons and sermon; the examination of the candidate; the singing of the hymn “Veni Creator Spiritus” or “Veni Sancte Spiritus”; a period of silent prayer; the prayer of consecration and laying on of hands by the ordaining bishop or bishops; vesting of the newly ordained person; and participation in the eucharist by the newly ordained person.
When a bishop confers Holy Orders, at least two priests (presbyters) must be present. From the beginning of the service until the Offertory, the bishop presides from a chair placed close to the people, facing them, so that all may see and hear what is done. The ordinand is vested in surplice or alb, without stole or other vestment denoting ecclesiastical or academic rank or order.
During the Prayer of Consecration, the bishop and priests lay their hands upon the head of the ordinand. During the laying on of hands, the bishop alone says, “Father, through Jesus Christ your Ordination Son, give your Holy Spirit to Robin, fill her with grace and power, and make her a priest in your Church.”
When they have laid their hands upon all the ordinands, the bishop continues “May they exalt you, O Lord, in the midst . . .” The stole worn about the neck, or other insignia of the office of priest, is placed upon the new priest after the entire Prayer of Consecration. A Bible is given to the new priest, who takes part in the exchange of the Peace, and joins the bishop and other priests at the altar for the Great Thanksgiving.
At the Offertory, the bread and wine are brought to the Altar by the family and friends of the newly ordained. At the Great Thanksgiving, the new priest and other priests stand at the Altar with the bishop, as associates and fellow ministers of the Sacrament, and communicate with the bishop. The family of the newly ordained may receive Communion before other members of the congregation.
Laying on of Hands is an external sign of the bestowal of God's grace, whether for spiritual growth or ministry or forgiveness or healing.
Prostration is lying full length and face down on the floor or ground as a gesture of humility and devotion. This posture may also express adoration or submission.
Vestments
Vestments are the distinctive garments worn by leaders of the church’s worship. Many are descended from the ordinary dress of the imperial Roman society in which the early church came into being.
• The alb (derived from the Latin “alba,” meaning white) is a long white garment with narrow sleeves worn by ordained and lay ministers
• A stole is a sign of office that indicates that the wearer is an ordained person. Bishops and priests wear the stole over both shoulders, and deacons typically wear the stole over the left shoulder.
• The chasuble is a sleeveless outer vestment worn at the eucharist. It typically reflects the liturgical color of the day and vary widely in fabric and style.
• Bishops may wear distinctive episcopal vestments, including the miter. A purple shirt with a clerical collar usually indicates that the wearer is a bishop, and a black shirt with a clerical collar usually indicates that the wearer is a member of the clergy.
The shared and differing roles of priests and deacons
A deacon exercises “a special ministry of servanthood” directly under the deacon's bishop, serving all people and especially those in need. As they proclaim the gospel, lead intercessions, wait at the eucharistic table and direct the order of the assembly, deacons act as sacred messengers, agents, and attendants. In addition to those ordained deacon as a permanent vocation, there are “transitional deacons” ordained as a preliminary step toward ordination as a priest.
Priests are also known as presbyters. The Catechism notes that “the ministry of a priest or presbyter” is “to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as pastor to the people; to proclaim the gospel; to administer the sacraments; and to bless and declare pardon in the name of God.”
Want to know more about an ordination?
More information on the Rev. Robin Woodberry
News release May 18, 2023
The Rev. Dr. Robin Woodberry, deacon-in-charge of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Canton, will be ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church at St. Paul’s on Saturday, June 3 at 10 a.m. The Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio, the Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth Jr. will officiate.
Upon ordination, she will become priest-in-charge of the downtown Canton church she has been serving for the past year.
Dr. Woodberry is a native of Youngstown who was licensed a minister in the Baptist tradition in 1995 and ordained 10 years later at New Bethel Baptist Church. She holds a doctor of ministry degree from the Southern Bible Institute and Seminary in Augusta, Ga. She is the former nominating chairperson for the National Board of Church Women United and executive director of the Mahoning Valley Association of Churches.
She became a member of the Episcopal Church in 2017, and began her seminary studies at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, Calif. She completed her field studies at Christ Church Hudson before being ordained last May as a transitional deacon (a step toward the priesthood) and coming to St. Paul’s. She has completed her studies at Bexley Seabury Seminary in Chicago, has been elected to the Episcopal Community Services Committee and serves on the church’s Commission for Racial Understanding.
In Stark County, she is involved with the Interfaith Violence Prevention Coalition and the Interfaith Clergy Study Group.
Dr. Woodberry and her husband of 37 years, Anthony, have five children and are grandparents to six. Her mother, the Rev. Gena Thornton, is also an ordained minister.
St. Paul’s is one of the oldest churches in Canton, celebrating 154 years at the same corner of Cleveland Avenue and Fifth Street SW and the 100th year of its current sanctuary. The church mission statement describes itself as radically welcoming and it subscribes to the mantras of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio: “Love God. Love your Neighbor. Change the World” and “God Loves You, No Exceptions.” It is a key partner in efforts ranging from Courageous Conversations on Race Relations to Thanksgiving Baskets Downtown.
The Episcopal Diocese of Ohio includes 79 parishes throughout Northern Ohio and is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Clergy of all denominations are invited to process and wear white robes and red stoles for the ordination, which will be followed by a reception in the St. Paul’s Guild Hall at 425 Cleveland Ave. SW in Canton.
News release May 18, 2023
The Rev. Dr. Robin Woodberry, deacon-in-charge of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Canton, will be ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church at St. Paul’s on Saturday, June 3 at 10 a.m. The Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio, the Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth Jr. will officiate.
Upon ordination, she will become priest-in-charge of the downtown Canton church she has been serving for the past year.
Dr. Woodberry is a native of Youngstown who was licensed a minister in the Baptist tradition in 1995 and ordained 10 years later at New Bethel Baptist Church. She holds a doctor of ministry degree from the Southern Bible Institute and Seminary in Augusta, Ga. She is the former nominating chairperson for the National Board of Church Women United and executive director of the Mahoning Valley Association of Churches.
She became a member of the Episcopal Church in 2017, and began her seminary studies at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, Calif. She completed her field studies at Christ Church Hudson before being ordained last May as a transitional deacon (a step toward the priesthood) and coming to St. Paul’s. She has completed her studies at Bexley Seabury Seminary in Chicago, has been elected to the Episcopal Community Services Committee and serves on the church’s Commission for Racial Understanding.
In Stark County, she is involved with the Interfaith Violence Prevention Coalition and the Interfaith Clergy Study Group.
Dr. Woodberry and her husband of 37 years, Anthony, have five children and are grandparents to six. Her mother, the Rev. Gena Thornton, is also an ordained minister.
St. Paul’s is one of the oldest churches in Canton, celebrating 154 years at the same corner of Cleveland Avenue and Fifth Street SW and the 100th year of its current sanctuary. The church mission statement describes itself as radically welcoming and it subscribes to the mantras of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio: “Love God. Love your Neighbor. Change the World” and “God Loves You, No Exceptions.” It is a key partner in efforts ranging from Courageous Conversations on Race Relations to Thanksgiving Baskets Downtown.
The Episcopal Diocese of Ohio includes 79 parishes throughout Northern Ohio and is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Clergy of all denominations are invited to process and wear white robes and red stoles for the ordination, which will be followed by a reception in the St. Paul’s Guild Hall at 425 Cleveland Ave. SW in Canton.