Joanna Harrell, Ascension Youth Minister, photo courtesy Ascension Church
Sept. 4th, 2011 – August 15th marked the first day at Ascension Church for Joanna Harrell, aka Jobi. Born and raised in Ypsilanti, Michigan; a small farming community located halfway between Ann Arbor and Detroit, Ms. Harrell says Sierra Madre feels like home to her. Jobi’s early years in the Great Lakes left her with a lifelong love of water, horses, Ford automobiles, and a deep love of all things music. She earned a B.M. in oboe performance from the Hartt School, and in 2001 moved with her fiancé Lucas Marquardt to California.
It was here in California, as Director of Christian Education at St. Andrew’s Church where she served as co-directress and re-founder of the Julien-Juliet Chapter of the Junior Daughter’s of the King. During this time she was able to articulate her bi-vocational call as a music instructor and lay minister with a focus on the future of the Episcopal Church.
In 2008, she became the Children’s Minister for Kindergarten through Fifth Grade at All Saints Church, Pasadena. She comes to Ascension ready to work with the High School and College programs as Minister to Young Persons. Jobi is an appointed member to the Los Angeles Commission on Ministry, a member of NAECED (National Association for Episcopal Christian Education Directors) and the very proud mother of Anne Elizabeth who will turn 5 this October. Jobi looks forward to serving with the outstanding ministry team at the Church of Ascension.
If you are interested in becoming part of the Ascension community check out a wonderful community church at www.ascension-sierramadre.com or for more information, please call (626) 355-1133.