John Scott Scannell

I was born in Mt. Vernon on Nov. 5, 1939, attended Minnie S. Graham Elementary and Junior High and A B Davis High School.  I graduated from Columbia University, Class of 1961 with a major in Spanish, and from the Philadelphia Divinity School, Class of 1964 with an M. Div. I was ordained deacon, and then priest at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in 1964. I have served Episcopal parishes in Wolcott and Sodus Point NY, Waterbury and Bethel CT, and Portland OR .  I married Alice Updike in 1964. We have two sons, Stephen and Andrew, both of whom are married and live in Oregon, and two grandchildren. Apart from forty-two years of parish ministry I have enjoyed nurturing Spanish language and heritage. That was an initial gift from high school. Actually it was a surprise because I started with Spanish because a friend told me it would be easy. I fell in love with it. Now it turns out that we have a Hispanic worshiping community as a part of our parish in Portland. This has drawn on my gifts in an unexpected and welcome way.  Alice and I enjoy traveling. We have been able to travel a lot both for pleasure and for business.  In recent years we have been building new relationships and friendships with people in Mexico. My three sabbatical leaves have included making cultural connections in Mexico, Cuba, and El Salvador, as well as exploring my Irish roots and English spiritual church roots.  Recent experiences in Germany, France, Spain and Italy have enriched our lives. We have also been captivated by our experience with Celtic Spirituality, an almost forgotten and profound expression of practical faith. I loved my life in Mt. Vernon. It was a wonderful place to grow up, a very supportive environment, with great friends. After 1964 I never returned, and life took me to other wonderful places. It looks like we will remain in Oregon where our family now resides.  My best greetings to those with whom I shared life fifty years ago!