The Rev. Mother Kassinda R.T. Ellis came to St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church as Priest-in-Charge in 2015 and is to be installed as Rector on June 15, 2019. 

 

Previously Mother Ellis served as Priest-In-Charge of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where she lead the congregation in a 3-year strategic plan for sustainability. While there, she celebrated the anniversary of Grace’s Kitchen Breakfast Program, a program that feeds breakfast to those in need twice a week; and which fed over 5,000 people. In addition Rev. Ellis was the Diocesan Trainer on Anti-Racism at Mercer College.

 

From 2009 to August 2012 Reverend Ellis served as Priest-In-Charge at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. With the Wardens and Vestry, she shaped the direction and initiatives of the parish. She effectively managed the Church properties which included a 101 Unit HUD Apartment Building for Seniors. 

 

Prior to serving at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Mother Ellis was Curate at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, on Avenue D in Brooklyn, New York for three years. She led the Baptism Seminars and coordinated the Confirmation Course. She designed and led the Deeper Faith Ministry, an adult education program to help people develop a richer spiritual life. She also assisted and preached at the Sunday and Wednesday services and did pastoral visit to the sick and homebound members of St. Augustine’s. 

 

Over the years, Reverend Ellis has served as Summer Chaplain at Camp DeWolfe, a member of the Board of Managers of Camp DeWolfe, and as a Board Member for the Family Consultations Services of the Diocese of Long Island. She is a member of the Black Clergy Caucus of the Diocese of Long Island and currently serves as a member of Diocesan Council. 

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On the National level, Mother Ellis was part of the design team for Why Serve?.  A conference designed to help young adults of color, Why Serve? gave young adults of color an opportunity to learn about ordained and lay service within the Episcopal Church. 

 

Reverend Ellis attended Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She later earned a Master of Divinity from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois.  She received a Resident Chaplain Certificate from The College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy in 2012.