Introducing Jim Woodrum

My name is Jim Woodrum, and I am grateful to have recently become a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church. I am originally from Bristol, Virginia, and before coming to seminary I spent thirteen years as a brother of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, an Episcopal monastic community in Cambridge, Massachusetts. During those years I served in a variety of ministries, including preaching, retreat leadership, spiritual direction, vocations, and communications. In May 2025, after a long season of discernment, I left the monastery to continue following God’s call beyond the cloister.

I am currently a Master of Divinity student at Virginia Theological Seminary, where I have just completed my middler-year and am preparing to begin my senior year. My time at VTS has been a rich season of study, formation, worship, and discernment. I have especially valued the opportunity to explore the connections between liturgy, pastoral ministry, neurodiversity, and the ways the Church can become a more hospitable and life-giving community for all God’s people. I enjoy theological writing and maintain a Substack blog entitled “A Monk in the World” (www.amonkintheworld.com).

I am also in the ordination discernment process with the Diocese of West Virginia. I have been in conversation with Bishop Matthew Cowden and am working with Fr. Eric Miller and a regional discernment team as I continue to prepare the materials and complete the steps required in the diocesan process. I am deeply grateful for the welcome, support, and prayers of St. John’s during this important season of formation.

Though much of my seminary life takes place in Alexandria, Virginia, I am very glad to have my parish home at St. John’s. I look forward to becoming more deeply connected with the parish community and to sharing in the life, worship, and ministry of St. John’s as I continue to discern God’s call. Thank you for welcoming me into your church community.