Two-clergy family to live in Skaneateles, serve 2 Central NY churches

The following was submitted by Laura Posecznick, operations and communications director at St. James’ Episcopal Church:
The Rev. Pilar F. Padrón Parnell has been called to serve as rector of St. James’ Episcopal Church in Skaneateles and the Rev. Scott Parnell will serve as rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Binghamton.
In this day and age, it is a challenge to find church leadership to venture to Central New York. However, this fall not one but two clergy members have joined Episcopal churches in the Central New York Diocese. Husband and wife clergy couple Rev. Scott Parnell and Rev. Pilar F. Padrón Parnell now reside in Skaneateles with their two children Charlene, 5, and George, 3.
Millennials, Scott and Pilar bring a fresh approach to practicing faith and look to be active in schools and local communities.
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Mother Pilar is a native of Rome and moved to Lancaster County, Virginia upon graduating from Virginia Theological Seminary in May of 2017. Pilar received her bachelor of arts degree from SUNY Fredonia in English, with a minor in religious studies. She received her master of divinity upon completing three years of study at Virginia Theological Seminary. Prior to her call to St. James’, Pilar served as the rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Heathsville, Va., and as the associate rector of Grace Episcopal Church, Kilmarnock. Pilar came to her calling through mission work in El Salvador where coincidentally St. James’ has focused many years of outreach. In fact, Mother Pilar and the Rev. Dr. Chuck Stewart, St. James’ Deacon met on a mission trip many years ago. As she has grown in her call, she has felt a pull towards intergenerational and family ministry, racial reconciliation and healing, as well as pastoral care particularly to the sick and dying.
Per Rev. Pilar Parnell, ”As we navigate a time in our world when things can feel so polarized and unstable I know pressures feel especially enormous for young families. As a leader in the community, I truly believe that faith communities will be the way that we find ways to love each other and create a more compassionate world. Part of the work in the church is going to be to help children, families, and older adults to slow down and live in God’s sacred time. It is my deepest hope that through prayerful formation we can give the people of God in our midst tools to live more in line with God’s love and compassion for the world God created.”
In addition to a full work ministry and mother to two active children, Pilar is a classically trained vocalist. She enjoys all things singing and music.
St. James’ Episcopal Church is located on East Genesee Street in the picturesque village of Skaneateles. For more than 200 years, the church building is blessed to be situated on the water capturing the amazing views of Skaneateles Lake. St. James’ offers four unique services each week, providing a diverse range of worship options from quiet contemplative to formal to high-energy praise services. Communion is celebrated at all worship services. Children, youth and family ministries are a priority with Sunday school classes, youth group programs, and family fellowship events. The church is also handicap accessible. St. James’ is part of the CNY Episcopal Diocese which embraces a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being; people of all genders and sexual orientations serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy work together in leadership and governance. St. James’ opens its doors to many local organizations for building use such as the Skaneateles Lake Association, Play2Learn Tot, and BlueBird Music.
Father Scott is from Charleston, S.C., and attended Furman University to study chemistry and religion. After graduation he moved to Texas and served as a youth minister and school chaplain. He graduated with an MDiv from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2017, and was called to serve as chaplain at Christchurch School – an Episcopal boarding school in Tidewater, Va.
During the Covid pandemic, he returned to parish ministry and was called as rector of Ware Episcopal Church, a colonial parish founded in 1652. His passion in ministry is in revitalization and helping congregations live into their potential.
He is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of the South: Sewanee, writing on contemporary church trends, American society, and structuring congregations for growth. Scott is the newly called rector at Christ Episcopal Church, Binghamton. Per Father Scott, “Faith formation ultimately takes place in community. We cannot do it by ourselves. And for communities looking to pass faith onto the next generation, they must recognize the role of the family. Parents are the primary evangelists to their children – and it is the church’s role to support that effort.” Rev. Scott Parnell is an active father enjoying the young ages of his children and loves to play pickleball.
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