The Reverend Canon Robert Edwards

The Rev. Canon Robert Edwards

I have felt a call to priesthood since before I can remember.  I tried for the longest time to do anything but this however I just couldn’t shake my call.  I finally had it out with God one night when I was doing church work in Argentina.  From that point forward I haven’t looked back.  I love the fact that I get a chance to wake up everyday and make a difference.  I have days when I want to get on a boat and drift with the tides but the rest of the time I love coming to work and doing what I do.  I am a third generation priest so sometimes this job feels like second nature.  My formula for healthy ministry is God first, family second and vocation third.

My responsibilities include:
I am the guy who is charged with creating the vision for this place.  I am the Head Chaplain for the school

Family stats:

My father is a retired Episcopal Priest who grew up in NYC.  My mother is a California girl.  She grew up in Ramona and is a retired RN.  My parents meet at Norwalk Mental Hospital. When my Mom first met my Dad she thought he was one of the patients!  I am the oldest of three boys.  I am married to a wonderful woman Michele and we have been blessed with four children, Christina, Josiah, Davis and Jameson

How I met my wife:

I was coaching football at the school and we used to go over to the Denny’s Bar for a beer after some of the practices.  The bartender took a liking to us and set me up with her best friend Michele.  Our first blind date/meeting happened in the Denny’s Bar.  It was love at first sight.

Nobody at St Margaret’s knows that:

When I was in eighth grade I sank on a deep sea party boat named the Westerner out of Davey’s Locker in Newport Beach .

Education:

BA in International Relations for CSU Chico.  I have a Masters of Divinity from The General Seminary NYC.

How I became a Christian:

No matter what I did or where I went God tracked me down and wouldn’t let go of me.  God graced me into Christianity.

How I came to be at St. Margaret’s:

Out of seminary  I was the first Chaplain of the school.  After a three year stint I left to become Rector of Christ Church Redondo Beach.  I returned to St. Margaret’s in 1999 as Priest in Charge under Special Circumstances and I was made Rector in September of 2000.

The best thing about being a Christian:

Grace and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Favorite movie:

The Shawshank Redemption

Favorite food:

Wood fired pizza and a big salad

Favorite place in the world:

Any beach on the Sea of Cortez

Pets:

Murphy our miniature Dachshund

How I spend my days off:

Fishing when I can and dreaming about fishing when I can’t.  I also go out and see movies with my wife Michele

A PERSONAL project I can’t wait to finish:

Writing my first book

My first job:

Warehouse worker at Parnelli Jones

Favorite joke:

Excuse me Father I think we’d like the more traditional Ceremony

Most powerful book I’ve ever read (besides the Bible) and why:

The Grapes of Wrath.  It was my first experience of experiencing a Biblical story being applied to contemporary American life.

What I’ll ask Jesus when we meet:

Why there is so much misery in the world.

My prized possessions are:

My fishing poles.

A time when I felt very close to God:

Worshipping with the Aracarian Indians on an island outside Temuco, Chile.

I’d most like to meet:

My grandfather who was an agnostic and got healed by Sam Shoemaker.  He left Wall Street and was ordained.

What I’d like to say to the people of St. Margaret’s:

I am so blessed to be part of your family, thank you for all your love. It is an honor to serve here.