Sunday, November 15, 2009

The Very Rev. James M. Jensen 1946 - 2009



The Very Rev. James M. Jensen, 62, of New Hartford, Rector of Grace Church, Utica and Dean of the Utica-Rome District of the Diocese of Central New York, died suddenly November 14, 2009.

Fr. Jensen graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1969. He graduated from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois in 1972. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1972 at Grace Episcopal Church in Madison, Wisconsin. He served parishes in Greenville, MI, Joliet, IL, Delavan, WI, DeKalb, IL and Hinsdale, IL prior to becoming Rector of Grace Church, Utica in 2001.

Fr. Jensen also served the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York as a member of the Executive Board and the Standing Committee.

The funeral will be held on Thursday at 7 PM at Grace Church, Utica where a Requiem Eucharist will be celebrated by the Rt. Rev. Gladstone B. Adams, III, Bishop of Episcopal Diocese of Central New York . Calling hours will be on Thursday from 3-6 PM at Grace Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grace Church Music Fund or the Society of St. Margaret – Haiti.

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UPDATE - From the parish:

UTICA, N.Y. The wardens, Vestry and congregation of Grace Church ask the Utica-area community to join us in prayer as we mourn the passing Saturday of the Very Rev. James M. Jensen, Rector of Grace Church since 2001.

Father Jensen died at Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City, N.Y., near Binghamton after being stricken while attending an ordination service in Chenango Bridge. His wife Kathryn and members of the clergy were with him.

He was 62. Father Jensen was the 11th Rector in the history of Grace Church, founded in 1838 in Utica. Grace Church is located at the corner of Elizabeth and Genesee streets.

The Right Rev. Gladstone B. Adams III, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York, traveled from Syracuse to Grace Church Sunday morning to support the congregation at both the 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses.

Bishop Adams pointed to the beginning of Sundays second reading from the letter to the Hebrews, which talks of priests standing day after day at their services. He said it reflected Father Jensens commitment to Grace Church.

He loved being a priest, the bishop said in addressing the congregation at the 10:30 a.m. Mass. He loved being your priest. And he loved you.

Bishop Adams counseled the congregation members to minister to each other in our grief.

Father Jensen was called to be Grace Churchs Rector in spring 2001 following an extensive nationwide search. He served previously at parishes in the mid-west.

During his 8 years at Grace, Father Jensen showed a deep love and commitment to the people of the parish. He gave great support to the music program, to the churchs Christian Education programs and to various community missions, which include a thrift shop on Devereux Street. He was extensively involved in ecumenical efforts with other Utica-area religious leaders and served in several diocesan-level roles including Diocesan Dean for the Eastern District, which includes the Mohawk Valley.

During his tenure, Father Jensen oversaw mergers with St. Georges Episcopal Church in South Utica and St. Pauls Episcopal Church in North Utica.

Susan Ulrich, Directress of the Grace Church Altar Society, had served on the search committee that helped bring Father Jensen to Utica.

He was an outstanding priest in all the capacities in which he served, both in the parish, and in the Diocese, Ulrich said. He guided the Altar Society members in their work through the myriad of liturgies over the year, always in a caring manner and with a wonderful sense of humor. We all feel blessed to have had him serve as our Rector, for what we now realize was much too short a timeframe. He will be missed immensely by all of us who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him.

Observer-Dispatch

29 comments:

episcopalifem said...

((((((Kathy))))))

I'm so sorry.

My prayers are going up for you and your family today.

I have no adequate words, but know that you are very, very much in my thoughts and in my heart.

Fran said...

Oh Kathy- I can't even imagine. As Eileen said there are no adequate words. You have my every prayer for consolation as you navigate these days.

My heart is with you and your family.

Paul said...

Prayers for you and all your loved ones.

Unknown said...

Many prayers for you and the family.

Dennis said...

thinking about and praying for you and your family this morning

Wormwood's Doxy said...

Kathy, my heart is so heavy for you....

I lit a candle for all of you this morning. May Jim rest in peace and rise in glory and may the peace that passes all understanding surround you now and hold you in the days to come.

Love,
Doxy

June Butler said...

Kathy, what a wonderful picture of James. Prayers continue for you and all who love him, and I'm sure that there are many.

Love and blessings.

PseudoPiskie said...

Grace is such a beautiful place. Must have been a sad place this morning with a large part of its grace-ness gone. Prayers for the parish family as well as the immediate family we love.

Jake said...

I'm so sorry, Kathy. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Caminante said...

Just reading of this tragic news tonight but know that you all will be remembered at our eucharists this week and at daily morning prayer. May Jim rest in peace and rise in glory. May you find the support you need in family and friends near and far and, yes, in God's arms.

Lee

BooCat said...

I have just read of this and then read the two beautiful Easter Sermons that follow. I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.

Rudo said...

I am sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your whole family

RENZ said...

hugs and prayers continue

KJ said...

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Peace of Christ

The Rev. Dr. Christian Troll said...

Prayers indeed for you, your family, Fr. James, and all your friends. The world grieves with you, and together we hope for that day when there shall be no more tears.

Peace be upon you,

'Fr. C.'

Diane M. Roth said...

so sorry for your loss, and praying for you.

Anonymous said...

So sorry for your loss. Prayers for all at this difficult time. May God's peace be with you.

Brother David said...

Prayers joining in from Northern Mexico.

JCF said...

...and flights of angels sing him to his rest: RIP/RIG.

May God comfort you and yours at this time, and evermore.

susan s. said...

Condolences and prayers from Berkeley.
Susan Hedges

Cecilia said...

Dear friend, I am so very sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.

klady said...

Thank you all for your kind words. I cannot tell you how much it means to have my virtual community in prayer with me. Special thanks to Fr. Jonathan Haggar and Fr. Terry Martin for helping to alert everyone.

Lois Keen said...

God bless you, Kathy, and give you Peace.

Holly said...

You don't know me, but please accept my sympathy and prayers. I am so sorry.

JimB said...

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

jimB

Suzer said...

Oh, Kathy! I am so, so sorry to hear this. My heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to you and what I am certain is a great number of others who will mourn Fr. Jim's passing. May God's Grace and Mercy be of comfort to you as the sharp pain of loss works its way in your life, eventually leading to healing and new life.

Allie said...

I am so sorry for your loss. I don't know what to say, only that I will be praying for you and your family, and that it sounds like James was an amazing man.

If there is anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask

Peace and prayers

Kate said...

My prayers are with you and your family.

terri c said...

I'm a stranger who came over from MP's blog to extend deepest condolences and prayers.