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The Rev. Nancy Baxter,
Society of St. Anna the Prophet

The Rev. Nancy Baxter grew up in Atlanta. She graduated from Westminster and Mount Holyoke College with a degree in Latin. With her former husband, John A. Sibley, she has two children, Meg and Jake, who are young adults. Nancy had a career as a teacher before becoming a fulltime mother. In 1978, she began seminary at the Candler School of Theology of Emory University. She was ordained a deacon in 1981 and was assigned to the Cathedral of St. Philip, the first ordained woman to function in that community. After completing her deacon year, Nancy was asked by Bishop Bennett Sims to begin a chaplaincy at Emory University. She was ordained a priest in 1982 and later that year her ministry at Emory began. Nancy’s association with St. Bartholomew’s dates from 1983, when she and her students began to regularly worship on Sunday morning. Of all the parishes they had visited, St. Bartholomew’s was the most welcoming to students.  

Nancy’s ministry at Emory includes responsibility for Episcopalians in the Emory hospitals and in Wesley Woods, Emory’s geriatric center, as well as ministry with students, faculty, and staff of the university. She is also a supervisor in the Anglican Studies program at Candler. On Sunday mornings, Nancy is at St. Bartholomew’s, where she preaches once a month and celebrates the Eucharist regularly. She is also well known in the children’s church school as the companion of “Shy Bunny” who makes appearances at Easter and other special times during the year.  

Shy Bunny comes each Easter.

Nancy participates in all areas of ministry at St. Bartholomew's.

Animals are Blessed each year.

God is always doing new things and so are we.  The new for me this fall is my retirement.  Last fall, I was shepherding another class through orientation and the beginning weeks of college at Emory.  This fall, I am enjoying a slower pace.


As you know, I am continuing to serve as an assisting priest on Sundays at St. Bartholomew's.  The continuity with you is deeply satisfying, and I am delighted that the Bishop, the Rector, and the Vestry all agreed that my staying at St. Bartholomew's is appropriate.  Usually, upon retirement, a priest must move to another congregation.  Since my main position was at Emory, my staying here at St. Bartholomew's did not constitute an exception to the rule.  I look forward to celebrating the Eucharist regularly and preaching about once a month.  An important daily discipline for me is Morning Prayer at 8:30 here in the Shalom Chapel, followed by coffee and conversation.  I find that this daily beginning in community and in prayer helps to order my days.   (Come join us!)   My little nook of an office is located in Amerson House, and I am usually there on Monday mornings.

The primary focus of ministry now for me is the Society of St. Anna the Prophet (SSAP).  This vowed community of older women, begun in 2005, is committed to Godly aging and ministry with elders and young children.  I serve as the Superior of the community.  Several parishioners at St. Bartholomew's, as well as our deacon Christina Dondero,  are among the regulars (vowed sisters) and several more are provisional members in the SSAP.  You may have noticed the different vestment that we sometimes wear in the liturgy,  a scapular with a wide red band worn over an undyed linen vestment.   

Our Society is responsible for weekly Eucharistic liturgies for three different congregations at Wesley Woods.  As we are able, we hope to expand to other residences and care facilities for elders, forming congregations and providing pastoral care and full Eucharistic worship on a weekly basis for those unable to attend church.  We are currently in the process of completing our foundational documents, including the Rule, and will soon apply for recognition from the national church.  The SSAP is already incorporated in the State of Georgia as a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization.  If you are interested in the ministry of the SSAP or in the community itself, please contact me.

The SSAP is dedicated to ministry with young children, as well as elders.   Several of us kept the nursery here at St. Bartholomew's on Wednesday nights during Lent this year.  As a former first and second grade teacher, I particularly enjoy being with the children of our parish, and over the years, Shy Bunny and I have cherished our participation in ministry with them.  In recognition of the gifts for service which even young children bring to our parish, I made a proposal to the Vestry for the organization of a children's guild, The Carpenter's Kids, for children aged 4-7. ( Children who are 8 are eligible for other ministries:  the treble choir and acolytes. ) The Carpenter's Kids will be commissioned and organized to help with various tasks around the church.  They will work in teams of four, with two adults, about once a month on Wednesday nights after supper.  A letter has gone out to all the children in this age range inviting them to participate.  It is very important that the decision be theirs to make.  I have already heard from several who want to be a part of this new ministry.  I also heard from one at the parish weekend who did not.  (Nancy:  "Did you receive a letter from me?"  Child:  "Yes. Nancy:”  Do you want to be in the Carpenter's Kids?"  Child:  "No." )   To be faithful, ALL Christians need to be able to say both YES  and NO !    Many of us adults have trouble with the latter, so I am glad this particular child could speak her mind!   Soon you will see the Carpenter's Kids in their canary yellow vests and caps, at work on Wednesday nights.

As I live into my retirement, in great and good company with the people of St. Bartholomew's,  I give thanks for the life and ministry we share.

Nancy Baxter, SSAP