Shannon Kelly

The Rev. Shannon Kelly’s passion and vocation has focused around ministry to and with children, youth, and families. Throughout her ministry, she has been advocating for and ministering with children and teens through the churches she has served and through the communities in which she has lived. This passion was formed in the Diocese of Idaho, where she worked at the diocesan camp, assisted with youth programs, and taught children in their Sunday morning formation time. She received a degree in English literature from the University of Idaho, and attended seminary at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. She was ordained to the priesthood in 1999. Throughout her ministry, she has created and shaped many formation programs for people of all ages.

She has served in congregations in California, New York, and Wisconsin as well as on the Diocesan Staff as Assistant to the Bishop for Christian Formation in the Diocese of Milwaukee. Shannon is currently serving as Acting Missioner for Lifelong Formation for The Episcopal Church, editing and writing curriculum for Lesson Plans that Work, and serving as the Associate for Curriculum Development for Living Compass Ministries. She wrote and edited God of My Heart, a book of prayers written by youth, for youth. She has served as a consultant to the Formation Offices of the Episcopal Church, on the Episcopal Youth Event Design Team in 2011 and 2014, and as Chaplain to the 2012 General Convention Official Youth Presence. She lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband, The Very Rev. Dr. Thomas Ferguson, Dean of Bexley Hall Seminary, their son, and dog.