The Rev. Erin E. Bair – Associate Rector
I was born in Illinois, raised in Georgia, and spent eight years in New England and one in Iowa, but I love that Northern Virginia feels like home. (Maybe the combination of cold winters and hot and humid summers makes it feel a little bit like everywhere I’ve lived, all at once!)
I lived in Arlington from 2002 to 2004. During that time I was a member of The Falls Church, and through it I fell in love with Anglicanism. In 2004 I headed north to Harvard Divinity School for my M.Div. I thought I would use the degree to work in conflict resolution and transformation. But God had different plans for me, and it was during my studies that I perceived his calling to ordained ministry. It turns out God knew what he was doing — I love parish ministry! I was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John Guernsey on March 31, 2011.
After graduating from HDS in 2007, I spent a year as a chaplain resident at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. I loved the opportunity to build relationships with all kinds of people as they faced some of the most difficult experiences of their lives. And I developed a whole new respect for people who work the night shift!
I was thrilled to connect to Restoration when I returned to Northern Virginia in the fall of 2008; it is exciting to be a part of the work God is doing in Arlington. At Restoration, I provide pastoral care and discipleship, oversee our outreach efforts and our marriage ministry, preach from time to time, and do some of whatever else comes up. (That’s the fun of a new church!)
When I’m not training marriage mentors or meeting with people at Starbucks, I love to read, hike, cook, eat, and play fierce games of CatchPhrase.
