The Reverend Janice C. Ford

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Our pastor, the Rev. Janice C. Ford, was ordained a priest and installed as our Rector on June 7, 2008.  She is a graduate of Andover Newton Theological School where she earned a Master of Divinity degree.  She was well known in our diocese prior to her ordination through her work as Missioner for Health Ministries from 2000-2006.

Pastor Janice is an advance practice registered nurse, and holds a Master of Science degree from the University of New Hampshire.  She has over twenty years of experience as a nurse educator, professional development leader, clinical nurse specialist, and health minister.  Before entering ordained ministry, Pastor Janice worked as Lay Pastoral Associate and Parish Nurse in her home parish, Trinity Episcopal Church in Milford, MA.  She completed three full years of field education while in seminary at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sutton, MA.  She also served there as transitional deacon from December, 2007 to May, 2008.

The primary focus of Pastor Janice’s ministry is on the parish as God’s mission in the world.  To that end, she encourages her parishioners to strive to live out their baptismal covenant daily, and to work toward keeping Christ’s Great Commission and Great Commandment.  She believes ardently in the power of prayer, and the importance of keeping a strong and intimate relationship with God.  She sees the weekly corporate celebration of the Holy Eucharist as the key to being and building the Body of Christ in the world.

The provision of pastoral care to those in recovery from addiction is of great importance to Pastor Janice's ministry.  Since September, 2012, she has provided a 12 step Bible Study program, one-on-one spiritual counseling, and worship services to inmates in the Substance Treatment Opportunity Program at the Worcester County House of Corrections.  In September 2016, Pastor Janice oversaw the opening of Reconciliation House, Inc., a six bed, MASH certified sober home for men coming out of the substance abuse program at the House of Correction.  RHI is housed in the former rectory at 5 North Main Street.  Pastor Janice continues to work in the field of substance abuse in the Town of Webster and is a member of the town Opioid Task Force.  She has presented programs on the interface between spirituality and addiction, and the role of the church in assisting people in recovery from addiction in the Commonwealth and in the eastern U.S.

Pastor Janice served five years on the Standing Committee for the Diocese of Western MA, and five years as a liaison to the Commission on Ministry.  She also served as co-chair of the Diocesan Elections Committee, including the special election of the Bishop in 2012.  Pastor Janice was a member of the Canon 16 Team for three years, offering consultation to parishes in Diocese.  She currently serves as the Bishop's clergy appointee to the Diocesan Board of Trustees, and is a member of the newly formed Diocesan Disaster Response Team.

Pastor Janice resides in Uxbridge, MA with her husband, Rod.  She is originally from Albany, New York, and Rod is from Brewer, Maine.  They were married in 1981, and have one son, Eric, who is an ecological restoration specialist for the Commonwealth.  Rod is Chief Information Officer  for Milton CAT in Milford, MA.

Quick Info

The Church of the Reconciliation
21 North Main St.
Webster, MA 01570
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Phone:
508-943-8714

Office Hours:
Mon-Fri
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
and by appointment