Interim Clergy
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Pastor Jim is originally from San Diego, California. He is a former Sergeant for the U.S. Army and a former Park Ranger for the County of San Diego Parks and Recreation. He studied Economics and Psychology at San Diego State University and Pastoral Care and Theology at Wartburg Theological Seminary.
Pastor Jim has just recently passed the 40th anniversary of his ordination. He has served congregations in Mesa, Arizona; Lynwood, California, and Lancaster, California. After serving as pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lancaster, California, Pastor Jim officially retired and has been fully retired for four years. He has since been filling in for pastors on vacation, and helped provide long term pastoral support during the transitional period at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Lancaster. When he is in retirement mode, Pastor Jim enjoys fishing, woodworking, working on his home (and occasionally on other’s homes too), and gardening. His wife Nancy is a retired Elementary School teacher who likes crafts, and cooking. Jim and Nancy have two daughters. Their oldest, Jenny, teaches Elementary School in San Diego. Their youngest, Karrie, lives in Chicago with her husband, Jeremy, and their twin 9 year old sons, Cedric and Gavin. “I am glad that I have the opportunity to support the ministries at St. Stephen’s during this time of transition.” - Pastor Jim Fuller |
Father Jim was born in Buffalo, New York, but his parents moved the family to San Diego when he was 3. He remained in San Diego through all of his schooling. Fr. Jim received his B.A. from San Diego State. He did 3 years at the Oldest Episcopal seminary.... THE GENERAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY in New York City.....a Candidate from the Diocese of Los Angeles. He was ordained a Deacon in 1968 and a Priest the following year. He has been a priest for over 50 years. During this time, he has served in assigned long term ministry positions in Hermosa Beach and Valencia, CA and in non-stipendiary assisting roles in San Bernadino, Van Nuys, and Glendora. He held Interim, Priest in Charge roles in Lancaster, Palmdale, and various other short-term circumstances around the Diocese of Los Angeles.
Fr. Jim also had secular employment working as a Real Estate Appraiser for almost 10 years, while at National University getting his Elementary Teaching Credential. He also taught 6th grade for 10 years at Rosedell Elementary School in Santa Clarita. In his spare time, Fr. Jim is a wanderer. He likes to wander through the 99 Cent store and Wal-Mart. It’s not for shopping… just looking at the stuff AND at the people. He also likes to drive and see places and listen to music. If he’s stuck at home though, he likes to read stuff… magazines, online stuff, and, of course, books!!! Fr. Jim has two children. He and Liz have been married for 35 years. Together they have 7 grandchildren. He turned 80 in June of this year and will be going on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in September to celebrate that milestone. “I am THRILLED to be back doing things at SSOV!! I love Barry Vail and this is my way of following up on his legacy...crazy as that sounds. MOSTLY though, I just have always been deeply impressed by the kindness and welcoming ways we found when I came into the fellowship hall with the Christ the King crowd. It was so clear that this was a wonderful, loving, congregation that I truly thought were really GREAT people.” - Father Jim Seipel |