The Rev. John Sundara To Join the SJD Clergy Team

Dear friends,

I am very grateful to share that the Rev. John D. Sundara, currently Vicar for Worship and Evangelism at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Houston, will join our clergy team and staff mid-June. I have known John for some years through various connections and contexts in the larger church and have always thought extremely highly of him. I am tremendously excited by this opportunity to share in ministry with him at St. John the Divine.

John’s role will represent a new ministry for us. He will serve as Vice Rector responsible for overseeing the implementation of our Strategic Plan (“SJD 2030”). John brings outstanding gifts to help shepherd execution on the good work already being done by our various staff and vestry-led strategy teams. He will also guide us in developing the tactics needed to accomplish critical strategic goals in our mission to be A Light for the City. Of course, John will also share with all the clergy in the sacramental, preaching, teaching, and pastoral care responsibilities of priestly ministry.

For clarity about seniority, the Rev. Reagan Cocke will continue in his important leadership role as Senior Vice Rector.

A native of Canada, John holds an Honors Master of Divinity degree from Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto and a bachelor’s degree from the University of British Columbia. Prior to serving at St. Martin’s, John was Assistant Rector for Christian Formation at Church of the Incarnation, Dallas. This role included overseeing family and children’s ministries, baptisms for all ages, and adult confirmations. He also served extensively in the Anglican Church of Canada, including at St. Paul’s Bloor Street and St. Matthew’s Riverdale, both in Toronto, Ontario.

John is married to the Rev. Naomi Sundara, who serves as St. Martin’s preschool Chaplain, and they have three children: Daniel, Emma, and Elijah, with Isabelle on the way in June!

Please join me in giving thanks to God for this important and exciting new ministry for us all. And let us offer a very warm welcome to John and his family in June.

In Christ,
The Rev. Dr. R. Leigh Spruill, Rector

More information about the Rev. Sundara's first Sunday is forthcoming.