James Hunter – Rector

Born in Central Islip, New York, January 6, 1954, Fr. Jim is the son of Dr. Nadene Hunter and the late Dr. Harold Hunter. In 1976, Fr. Jim earned a BA from Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, and upon graduation entered the United States Navy. While on active duty in San Diego, California, as a US Navy Supply Corps Officer in 1978, Jim was called by the Lord to enter the ordained ministry to become a Navy Chaplain. In 1984, Jim graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, Virginia, with a Master in Divinity Degree and began parish ministry in New Jersey. Ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church in February 1985, and a priest in August 1985, Jim was serving as the Curate of Holy Trinity Parish, Clemson, South Carolina. He maintained his affiliation with the Navy and in February 1989 returned to active duty to test his sense of calling as a Navy Chaplain. While on active duty, he served on the USS BIDDLE (CG-34), a guided missile cruiser, during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. During this time, Jim was awarded first place in the literary prize called the Polly Bond Award of Excellence for his article entitled “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” This article was published in the newspaper of the Diocese of Rochester, New York The Chronicle. In April 1991, Jim began serving with the Amphibious Navy at the Little Creek Naval Base in Virginia Beach, Virginia, as the Chaplain of Amphibious Beach Group 2 with over 1,500 sailors and their families under his pastoral care. In February 1992, due to the down-sizing of the Navy, Jim returned to parish life. Since then, he has served parishes in Newton, North Carolina; Morgantown, North Carolina; and Virginia Beach, Virginia. On October 1, 2000 Jim joined Good News Jail & Prison Ministryas the Chaplain for the Charles County Detention Center in La Plata, Maryland. He also served as the Priest-in-Charge (part-time) of All Faith Episcopal Church in Charlotte Hall, Maryland from May 2003 through December 2007. On November 1, 2006 Jim was given the additional responsibility by Good News of serving as the Chaplain for the Calvert County Maryland Detention Center.  On January 1, 2008 Jim began ministry as the Rector of the Episcopal Church of St. Mary in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he currently resides with his wife, Jeannine.