Father Morris was called to lead St. John’s as its rector in November 2005.  Fr. John came to the parish with more than 25 years of pastoral experience, most recently as rector of St. Thomas in McLean, Virginia, where he served for 17 years. He also served as rector of St. Margaret’s in Baltimore for 4 ½ years, as an associate at St. Martin’s-in-the-Field in Severna Park, Maryland for 4 years, and as a hospital chaplain in Boston for 2 years.

     Originally from York, PA, Fr. John is a graduate of Susquehanna University where he majored in history and religion. He earned his Master of Divinity degree in pastoral theology and parish administration at Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA, and was ordained in 1980.  

     In addition to his clerical duties, Fr. John has been very active in the Episcopal Church, as well as the larger faith community, having served as Dean of the Northern Fairfax Region of the Diocese of Virginia, and as secretary and treasurer of the McLean Clergy Association. He was also a member of the adjunct faculty at the Virginia Theological School and at the Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, DC. He is a member of the Northwest Ecumenical Cluster in Lancaster City.  

     The Morrises,  John and his wife, Dr. Cynthia Morris, a guidance counselor in the School District of Lancaster, have two grown children and reside in Lancaster City. 

     Fr. John believes “ministry is a shared enterprise” and views his “principal role of rector as helping the parish’s leadership define and articulate a shared vision of mission.”