Rev John Conn
Director of Caring Ministries
by Phil Richardson, Communications Committee
Sometimes, it makes sense to tell a story backwards, so we begin this introduction to our new Director of Caring Ministries by acquainting you of the present situation: At this writing, John Conn, late of Henderson, Kentucky, now residing in Saddlebrooke, Arizona, is experiencing a quickly ascending learning curve as our much beloved, retiring Caring Ministries Director, Terry Lacy, acts as guide to the much experienced former Kentuckian in his new position.
His fortuitous enlistment came from a frequently used resource: Members of St. Andrew’s - in this instance, Bobby and Marybel Black. They informed John of the search for a replacement for Terry, after reading about it in Cross Currents.
You see, John and Bob once were together in college, but until a short while ago hadn’t seen each other for more than 50 years; not since Bob left to enter Duke University Divinity School.
Bob is now a retired Air Force Chaplain. He and Marybel live in Saddlebrooke. John and Janell have been Winter Residents there since 2002. Prior to the Conn’s acquiring a winter home in Saddlebrooke, our State had been their favorite vacation destination for many years.
It was not until they had moved in that John and wife Janell learned through a mutual acquaintance in the Midwest that Bobby and Marybel were practically neighbors – neither couple knowing the exact whereabouts of the other for decades. The Blacks soon invited the Conns to worship with them at St. Andrew’s.
Since their reunion, John expressed a desire to find some part-time work in his field and that he and Janell would then become “full-time” Arizonans. Feel free to use the word propitious* if the reader is moved to relate the facts of the matter to others.
After reading this and retracing in your mind the interlocking paths and contacts, the timing; and how it came about that John and Janell Conn came to be with us at exactly the right time, you are also allowed to feel the hand of the Almighty working among us once again. While doing so, we’ll tell you “The Rest of the Story”
It took some time, training and experience for John to realize his true vocation – a back story of growing illumination that grew from the time he was in High School. John knew for certain that he was called to serve our Lord. In the very beginning that meant, as it still does to many, either being a minister or a missionary.
His journey down a rewarding career path started with his Bachelors of Divinity degree from St. Paul School of Theology, a Methodist Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, followed by his Masters of Sacred Theology degree at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana.
A growing realization of his true calling began as a Chaplain in 1969 at Methodist Hospital in Henderson, Kentucky. Prior to that John completed his Clinical Pastoral Education at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis - altogether, over 3 decades of ministering to and counseling those who are undergoing illness, divorce, grief, and dying; all manner of problems that afflict the human condition.
Along the way, he married his childhood sweetheart. During their 47 years of matrimony, Janell taught elementary school students for 30 years. They raised two children: David, a specialist in Human Resources living in Dallas, Texas, and Susan, a Speech Pathologist with a special interest in autistic children, living in Henderson, Kentucky.
After briefly examining the broad spectrum of his life’s work, I was prompted to ask John what he did best? “Of all of the needs humanity has,” John stated, “One of the greatest is to have somebody who will listen to them. There is a difference between truly listening and just being present.”
You can reach John Conn through the Church at 297-7201 or jconn@standrewspres.com.