St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Brookings, and the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota are pleased to announce the call of the Rev. Dr. Ramona Hayes, a Lutheran pastor, as the next Rector of the historic parish.
“We at St. Paul’s are so excited to welcome Pastor Ramona,” says Senior Warden Lynn Hublou. “As a progressive community, we look forward to working together to grow in our love for God, for one another, and for all of God’s children and for all of creation. We’re very grateful to have Pastor Ramona as our shepherd and guide.”
Pastor Ramona, who will start at St. Paul’s on April 1, has been serving as the senior pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Flandreau. Her last Sunday there will be March 23.
"I am absolutely thrilled to be called as the next Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church,” Pastor Ramona says. “I can't wait to learn more about the current ministry of St Paul's and dream into the future together.
“I believe that God has placed each congregation and its members together in a community for a purpose. I'm excited to explore the vision God has for the congregation of St. Paul’s.”
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Jonathan H. Folts, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota, added his support for this call.
“I could not be happier for the congregation of St. Paul’s and Pastor Ramona,” he says. “She will no doubt be a blessing to them, and they will be a blessing to her. We look forward to welcoming Pastor Ramona into our diocesan family, and may God bless St. Paul’s in the newest chapter of their ministry!"
Pastor Ramona is a graduate of Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio, and has a Doctor of Ministry degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, with an emphasis on biblical preaching. She has served as a Lutheran pastor for 14 years, at Pollock Lutheran and Herreid Lutheran in both Pollock and Herreid, S.D., and at Langford Lutheran Parish in Langford, S.D., before going to Flandreau. She and her husband, Tim, have been married for 34 years, and have two adult children. She is a life-long Hoosier who moved to South Dakota for her first call as a Lutheran pastor.
Pastor Ramona Hayes
The Vestry of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Brookings,
with their new Rector, the Rev. Dr. Ramona Hayes.