Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing profiles of members who have joined over the past year or so. If you haven’t gotten a chance to meet them in person yet, please keep an eye out for them and say hello!
Like many at St John’s, Christine Jacox had a winding path to St John’s and the Episcopal church. She was raised in the Rochester, NY, area, although “At the age of 11 my Dad moved us to Oxford, England as he took on a one year sabbatical position at The Nuffield Clinic. I attended a British girls school and definitely sounded the part at the end of those 12 months!”
Christine, the youngest of three kids, had parents with a mixed religious background; her dad was raised in the 7th Day Adventist tradition and her mom in the Lutheran church. “As a kid I went to a Presbyterian church but was confirmed as an adult in the Catholic Church (at Nativity in St. Paul) prior to a trip to the Holy Land, in part, so I could share in daily communion.”
Christine’s introduction to the Episcopal Church came through her sister who was working as a secretary for an Episcopal church in the 1990s and gave Chirstine a Book of Common Prayer. “I came to St. John’s following the death of my sister in March 2023. After the warm greetings at St. John’s from Judy, Craig and Jered–and, realizing I knew some members–I recall thinking ‘I’m in the right place!’ Also, hearing moving, timely, and great sermons…well, I knew I was in the right place!” Christine was received into the Episcopal Church during Bishop Loya’s visit in November of 2025.
Christine and her partner of 30 years, Kathleen Mountain, live in the West 7th neighborhood with their “current feline resident” Sophie. “I am very blessed to be part of Kathleen’s large and loving family–most of whom live in the St. Paul area.” Christine came to the Twin Cities in the early 1990s so her husband at that time could pursue a PhD at the U of MN. “We traveled a challenging path during our marriage as Dana explored gender identity and ultimately knew they needed to live full time as a woman. We remain in touch to this day (40 years later!) and I pray for their safety in the world in which we live.”
Christine has a variety of interests. “I am fascinated by photography and looking for unique ways to see a subject or capture a moment. I maintain a blog and have a portfolio site…I am always looking for tips! I have always enjoyed writing and am attempting a historical piece with the Adirondacks as a backdrop. My family spent 30 years of my earliest memories hiking, canoeing and just plain roughing it at a place called North Lake in the southernmost part of the Adirondack park region.”
Christine is already involved at St. John’s and grateful for what she receives from its ministries. “I hope to do more to give back…I have volunteered a bit in the office and have participated in the Discernment Group, and most recently, Book Club. I plan to learn more about Project Home and want to be more involved. I appreciate that St. John’s does so much for the larger community and I appreciate being able to offer targeted donations and to bring in goods and food for groups in need. I feel as I grow in this church community more opportunities will be clear to me.”
Welcome, Christine!