Spotlight: Father Simon

Father Simon Justice

Father Simon was born in the Midlands of England in 1966. After living in Germany for four years, his family settled in the southeast of England, where he attended school and, more importantly, came to faith at St. John’s Church (High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire).

Simon+ felt a call to the priesthood from his mid-teens, which led him to study Divinity at the University of Wales and Theology at the University of Edinburgh. He completed his ordination training at Cramner Hall (St. John’s College, University of Durham), was ordained to the Diaconate in 1992, and was ordained to the Priesthood in 1993 — both in the Diocese of Oxford. Simon+ has served congregations in Portland, Oregon; Troy, New York; Edinburgh, Scotland; and Reading, England.

While in the Diocese of Albany, New York, Simon+ served as:

  • Member of the Commission on Ministry and the Diocesan Stewardship Commission
  • Member of the Great Chapter of the Cathedral of All Saints and a Canon of the Cathedral
  • Sub-Dean for the Troy area in the Metropolitan Deanery, a group of seven churches
  • Member and, later, chair of the planning board for the Province II Stewardship Conference, held each year in the New York State
  • Member and then chair of Canterbury House, an Episcopal residential home for seniors in Troy
  • Member and then chair of the Troy Area Clergy Association and Bethany Center Community Kitchen

In the Diocese of Oregon, Father Simon served as a member of The Diocesan Council, Diocesan Standing Committee, and Diocesan Stewardship Commission. He was also appointed by the Bishop as Dean of the Sunset Convocation, a group of twelve churches in the southwest Portland Metropolitan area. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and Samaritan Village Retirement Community.

Father Simon’s passions in ministry include traditional Anglican liturgy and music, congregational development, small group ministry, the ministry of healing, and the discernment and implementation of vision, mission and stewardship.

In his spare time, he enjoys reading, hiking, history, gardening, movies, good wine (in moderation!), cooking and friends. He married his lovely wife Michele in 1992, and they have three school-age children: Pippa, Charlie and Alec.