The Reverend Katherine V. Ferguson
My call to ordained ministry has been with me throughout my life.
I was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where I belonged to the Gethsemane Episcopal Church and attended Breck Episcopal School. I attended the University of Illinois. During my 22-year career in the U. S. Marine Corps, I continued my education through university extension courses at military bases. After Education for Ministry and the Deacon’s School, I was ordained to the Vocational Diaconate in September 2018 where I served at La Iglesia de Santa Maria in Falls Church, a very large Hispanic church. My ministry flourished in this Hispanic community.
It was at Santa María where my call continued, only this time to the priesthood. I entered Virginia Theological Seminary, completed my Masters, was ordained a priest on September 9, 2023. After my ordination, I was called to the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Alexandria. The Rector, T he Rev. Jo Belser, gave me much freedom to do supply work as well as to be the long-term supply to both San José in Arlington and Cristo Rey in Springfield. I was with these two Hispanic churches initially for 10 weeks which was extended several times for a total of 50 weeks. Each week, with only a couple of exceptions, I celebrated and preached in Spanish. Providing the Eucharist and pastoral counseling to these two communities was a true highlight in my life.
Before I pursued religious orders, I served in the United States Marine Corps, and after retiring from the Marines, worked as a government contractor for many years. These positions have allowed me to both continue my education and to directly use my new skills. In my secular position as a government contractor, I was a senior systems engineer helping Department of Defense programs implement and maintain interoperability of data and communications services across the defense agencies and international government organizations. Many of the skills I acquired are still serving me to this day.
Within the Diocese of Virginia, I am currently serving as the Chaplain for the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Virginia as well as serving on the Committee on the Diaconate. I have previously served on the Standing Committee for the Diocese and coordinated the first Diocesan LGBT retreat.
I have also been active in church ministries since age 12 beginning with the adult choir, Altar Guild, Lay Reader, and Lay Eucharistic Minister. I was fortunate to be the Lay Leader for the Episcopal Congregation in Japan for the military community.
And now, I look forward to OUR ministry at St. Margaret's with all the ministries that are already being served, as well as looking to the future to see what St. Margaret’s and her congregation can do for the larger Body of Christ.
God bless all who call St. Margaret’s their spiritual home.
Mother Katherine