[The Episcopal News] Missy Morain – director of program ministry at St. Matthew’s, Pacific Palisades, and a parish staff member there for 15 years – has been named diocesan missioner for Christian formation, children, and youth ministries, Bishop John Harvey Taylor announced today.
“Energy and expertise in forming Christian disciples among children and youth are key gifts that Missy brings to the common life of our congregations and diocese,” Taylor said of Morain. “Her appointment has been made possible with funding from a grant dedicated to this purpose, and we give thanks for this opportunity to strengthen multiple levels of ministry.”
“I’m excited to begin working with Missy,” said the Rev. Canon Melissa McCarthy, diocesan canon to the ordinary and chief of staff. “Her proven skills include building a network among congregations seeking to share resources in ministries with children, youth, and families. Her ministry will bring new connectivity among local youth groups within wider diocesan life and support Christian educators at all levels. Her experience as an elected member of Diocesan Council adds to her understanding of ministry contexts in our region.”
“I am deeply honored to join the staff of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and am excited to collaborate with our congregations and missions,” Morain told The News. “I am looking forward to a future filled with laughter, formation, and a whole lot of holy mischief!”
Before coming to St. Matthew’s, Morain served the parishes of Trinity Episcopal Church in Iowa City, Iowa, and St. Thomas’ Church, Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.; and was on the staff of the Cathedral College of Washington National Cathedral as director of the Center for Lifelong Formation.
The focus of Morain’s ministry at St. Matthew’s has been integrating parish ministries with children, youth and life-long formation, working closely with St. Matthew’s Parish School, St. Matthew’s Day Camp, and a 300-plus person scouting program based at the church. Before being named director of program ministry, Morain served as director of Christian formation for children and youth.
A specialist in lifelong Christian formation, Morain is a three-term member of the board of directors for Forma: The Network for Christian Formation, for which she is chair of the leadership council.
She also has been active with the Colloquium of Episcopal Professional and Vocational Associations (CEPVA), the Episcopal Church Advisory Group on Lifelong Christian Formation, the Task Force on Older Adult Ministries, and as a trainer for the General Convention Official Youth Presence. Morain has been instrumental in the redevelopment of the Forma Certificate in Lifelong Formation at Virginia Theological Seminary and will serve as a member of the certificate faculty.
Morain attended the University of Iowa and has completed certificates in Christian formation and youth ministry through the Seminary of the Southwest and Virginia Theological Seminary. She has completed her Level 1 coaching training and is working towards International Coaching Federation certification.
An Iowa native, Morain enjoys reading, biking, and “attempting to knit.” A third-generation Iowa Hawkeye, she “is excited that the Big Ten expansion means seeing some Hawkeyes in Los Angeles more frequently.” She is passionate about women’s soccer and a proud supporter of Angel City Football Club.
Morain begins work on the diocesan staff on Sept. 16, and at that time her email address will be mmorain@ladiocese.org.