Tim Johnson was born in the Charlottesville, VA area and raised primarily by his mother in the Baptist tradition while periodically attending services at a small rural Episcopal parish with his father. After graduating from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA he decided to follow a calling to ministry at Union Theological Seminary.

During seminary, Tim started studying the writings of John Wesley and chose to pursue ministry in the United Methodist Church. He worked in two small rural parishes and provided chaplaincy services to a prison and a hospital. Upon graduation, Tim served a United Methodist Church in Alexandria but eventually decided to leave the United Methodist ministry due to the church’s position on homosexuality, and live as an openly gay person.

Tim felt drawn back to the Episcopal Church in part because of its more affirming stand on homosexuality. His first service at St. Thomas’ was a weekday Taize service during Holy Week of this past year. “One afternoon I was in the city visiting friends,” Tim explains. “On the way back to my car, I noticed that a few people were entering [St. Thomas’]. I decided to go in find out the times of the services. I realized at that point that a Taize service was just about to start so I stayed. I really enjoyed it and came back for another Taize service, and then to a regular Sunday service. St. Thomas’ immediately felt like home to me.”

Although he is still relatively new, Tim is already a vital member of the parish. He is currently co-chair of the Education/Formation Committee and serves at the altar. He will also be preaching periodically in the coming year. “The things I like most about being an Episcopalian include the Church’s sacramental emphasis, diversity and international scope,” he says. Tim is a middle school learning disabilities teacher in Arlington. In his free time he enjoys reading, writing, hiking and visiting family and friends. His father and stepmother still live on the farm that has been in their family for five generations. His mother and stepfather currently live in Alabama. Thank you, Tim, for already making a big impact on the St. Thomas’ family!