Posted by St. Anne's Webmaster
by Tanya HillearyRev. Neesie likes coffee. I knew from the moment I met her at the coffee bar at Wegman's in Sterling, the newest member of our clergy will click well with St. Anne's on this most fundamental level. Casual, comfortable, and very open to life and God's presence in it, Rev. Denise Trogdon shared her thoughts on coming to St. Anne's as our new Assistant Rector with a focus on children's and family ministries.
When I asked about the "Rev Neesie" moniker on her email, she gave a warm laugh. "Neesie was a nickname my sister gave me when we were children," she explained. "I want something that is accessible and fun and warm for kids to call me, but as an adult, you can certainly call me, Rev. Denise - I'm not quite ready to be called, 'Mother Denise'," she said with a smile and a warm laugh.
We got to talking about her interests and calling. Rev Neesie is passionate about families and growing them up with a sense that Christ is near and Christ is here and can be found in our hands and feet. "I've known since High School that I wanted to be a priest – before women were ordained," she explains. God had other plans for her first, and she followed a secular path that incorporated families, healing, and reconciliation from a secular perspective. "God has given me a gift to be able to go deep with people," she explains on her secular career choice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Under a beautiful sunny sky, we talked about faith development in children, and her own experience, "When I was a girl, there was a priest who made Christ accessible to me as a 5-year old. God is not an old man peering down. Christ is a friend and companion. I want children to know that." Rev. Denise had the pleasure of that very priest's presence at her Ordination on May 22. "It was a full-circle," she beams.
St. Anne's is proud to have Rev. Neesie as part of our Parish Family.Click here for more information and a full bio.