clergy_ staff.htm

Church: 479 L St Lincoln, CA

Office/Mail: 490 K St. Lincoln, CA 95648

Telephone: (916) 645-1739

Father Bill joined St James as it's Vicar in 2006 (see History of St James). He is a hard working, loveable, outgoing minister with an uncanny ability to relate the Gospel in storytelling fashion that transitions the Word, written 2000 years ago to 21st century application. In many cases, he is able to paint the scene, because he has visited a great many historic Biblical sites himself. Father Bill loves to explain the Gospel to children interactively through use of toys and games.

Father Bill brings more than 30 years of skills refined in parish ministry, along with compassion and love into a variety of situations, including marriages, births, sickness, death, and relationship crises.

Since graduating from seminary in 1974, Fr. Bill has served congregations in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, and Northern California in a full time capacity as Vicar/Priest-in-Charge or Rector for nearly 30 years.

As a lifetime learner, he has completed courses on subjects ranging from Celtic Spirituality to conflict management, and from preaching to church growth. Places where he has studied include the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkley, California (where he received his M. Div. Degree); Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, Virginia, the College of Preachers, in Washington, D.C.; San Francisco Theological Seminary, San Anselmo, CA; University of Durham, Durham, England; The Anglican Center in Rome, Italy; St George's College in Jerusalem; and the Alban Institute.

Father Bill lives in a restored two storied 112 year old Victorian house in neighboring Wheatland with his son Aidan and two cats, George and Gracie, and a puppy named Winston. He enjoys swimming, down hill skiing and golf. As well, he enjoys spending time with people, good food, classical music, and travel.

Chaplain Johnson graciously joined The Rev. Bill Rontani in the ministry of St. James Church in March 2008. Chaplain Johnson enjoys a marriage of 40 years, is the father of three children and grandfather of four. Ordained Episcopal minister (The Rev. Carl Johnson), is a member of the Board of Directors for a local Rotary Club, a District Committee member for Rotary GSE., a decorated police Chaplain for the city of Folsom, CA. Rev. Johnson is also a Interfaith service Bureau member, International Conference of Police Chaplains member, Sierra Chaplaincy Chaplain, and a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel. Chaplain Johnson has been a welcome addition to the family of St. James Church.