Episcopal Church with the ordination of the Reverend Rhonda Elwena Blackman Rogers to
the sacred order of priests in Christ's one, holy, catholic and apostolic church and as Rector.
The Right Reverend Hector Monterosso, Bishop Assistant of the Diocese of Texas conducted
the ordination service, the first for St. Francis of Assisi. More than 250 well-wishers, family, friends and supporters, including some 50 priests and deacons from the Diocese and other parts of the country witnessed the historic event.
The Rev. Hannah E. Atkins Romero, Rector of Trinity Midtown, fellow clergy and Rhonda's friend delivered a rousing and spirit filled sermon that had the church rocking, so to speak. At one point in the sermon, she shared the loving story of Reverend Rogers' running from the full commitment to Christ which had finally caught up with her. "Rhonda will be a great servant priest and St. Francis you have a winner," she concluded.
Following the service, the patrons feasted on the three-course sit-down sumptuous meal and desserts and Champagne prepared by the ladies of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW) in the beautifully decorated Parish Hall. Compliments continue to come in because folks were expecting the usual reception treats and received the surprised of their lives.
Reverend Rogers was ordained a Deacon at the special ordination service at Christ Church Cathedral on June 22, 2019. She became the Deacon at St. Francis of Assisi on August 26, 2019 and preached her first sermon on September 1, 2019, with Canon Joann Saylors Canon for Mission Amplification in the Diocese of Texas celebrating the Eucharist.
Rogers, as the bi-vocational leader, provides outreach service to members and will engage in programs and activities that enhances the spiritual growth and development of the members. She will also support a college ministry at Prairie View A&M University.
In her middler year at Iona, she was assigned at St. Stephen’s, Liberty, TX for her field education experience. She is currently completing her senior field education assignment at Holy Comforter, Spring, Texas. She was a member of Trinity Midtown after moving from Rochester, NY in 2010. She served there in various roles including Verger, LEM, Junior and Senior Warden and led Evening Prayer for the Lords of the Streets (LOTS) ministry.
Reverend Rhonda is the chaplain for Union of Black Episcopal Reverend John D. Epps Chapter. She is also a member of the Commission on Black Ministry, and the Province VII Anti-Racism Committee. She completed Education for Ministry (EFM) in 2003 and was an EFM mentor for two years.
In Rochester, NY, Rhonda was a member of Christ Church. She served as Warden, Church School Coordinator, acolyte, sub-deacon, thurifer, and pastoral visitor. She was also a member of Standing Committee and the Anti-Racism Committee and an adjunct trainer for Congregational Development Institute in the Diocese of Rochester, NY.
Rogers prepared for her service with enrollment and graduation from the Diocese of Texas' Iona School for Ministry on June 9, 2019. She also holds the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology and retired in 2016. She worked for Mobil Chemical and ExxonMobil Chemical for over 38 years in various positions including process and product development, technical advisor, and several management positions. In addition to her technical career, Rhonda led employee training for Organizational Development, Diversity and Inclusion at Mobil Chemical.
Her spiritual journey includes regularly consulting with a spiritual director and participating in retreats with the Order of St. Helena, an Episcopal order of nuns where she is an Associate. She is also a member of Daughters of the King and United Black Episcopalians.
Reverend Rhonda has three adult children who live in Maryland and California. Her hobbies include traveling, going to the theatre, music, golf, and reading.
