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The Reverend Debra Trakel, Rector of St. James, hails from the heartland. She grew up in Milwaukee, attending Mount Mary College for undergraduate and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for graduate school. After a successful career as a clinical social worker and organizational development specialist, Mother Debra answered the call to prepare for priesthood. Not wanting to stray too far from her Midwestern roots, she sought her M. Div. at Seabury Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois.
Mother Debra has served as the Associate Chaplain at St. Francis House, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Episcopal campus ministry. She has also served on the staff of the Bishop of Milwaukee as Assistant for Pastoral Care. Before coming to St. James, Mother Debra was the priest- in-charge at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Wisconsin Dells.
Mother Debra is the 18th Rector of St. James and the first woman to serve in that capacity. She is passionate about the Gospel and wanting to make the life of Jesus come alive for people today. One of her favorite pieces of wisdom comes from our former Presiding Bishop, Edmond Browning. Bishop Browning told the church, "this church is open to all. There will be no outcasts." Mother Debra is serious as a heartbeat about the church's ministry of hospitality to all--with no exclusions.
In her private life, Mother Debra loves to travel. She will read anything that does not read her first. She is known to be a bit crazy about her two very spoiled terriers, Jamie and Keltie. And she says that friendship is the defining relationship of her life.
©2002 St. James Episcopal Church, Milwaukee, WI 53233 |
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