About

On January 1, 2019 I retired as rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, Greeley, Colorado after serving there for 15+ years. Since, as I write this, that was a little over 2 weeks ago, I cannot yet tell what this new life will look like. I do know that it is likely to involve writing about some of the God stories I’ve been part of, what I’ve learned because of those stories, what I continue to learn reflecting on those stories, and something of the God stories that await.

This site contains postings from 2013 on moved over from my site when I was still at Trinity. To find the meaning of the term “Apprentice Priest” just look at the past entries on that category.

As for who I am, my biography is not that important but the paragraphs below may give some context.

My life has been formed by writers and not all of them religious writers. If there was a common quality it was their ability to stimulate my imagination and challenge what I thought I knew. A list of the authors in question would be too long and tedious for this page, but because of them I find myself to be an ever evolving phenomenon. There are, however, some things that seem relatively stable. I am a happily married Episcopal Priest (ordained in 1978 and married the following year). I’ve lived a life that h as been blessed beyond all reason. I’ve caused a lot of pain to many people and received a lot of forgiveness that I didn’t deserve (look up Grace on your favorite online dictionary). I’ve served in seven congregations in 3 states. God inexplicably saved the best for last. Yet every congregation has been my teacher, though not all found me a very apt pupil. Seeing Christians grow into full adulthood in Christ has been my passion. It’s only been since 1998 that I found out a priest who isn’t willing to grow can’t help others to do so. Also in since 1998 I’ve willingly lost control of my life. That’s a good thing because most of the pain I’ve caused others came from trying to control my life — and the people in it.

So now in my retirement I’m finally embracing a discipline of writing. I hope to share some of the things I’m learning in the off chance that it may stimulate others who are asking similar questions. I’m not that good with self-promotion so whatever is written on these pages will have to find their way around to others on their own.

And finally, here’s the stats that are supposed to be included on the About page:

Name: Jack Stapleton; Married to: Dorie Ann; Living: in Evergreen, CO; Works: retired.