Retiring rector reflects on time at city church

By Linda m. Linonis

The Rev. John Horner is leaving the church family at St. John’s Episcopal to spend more time with biological family.

YOUNGSTOWN — Early in 2000, the Rev. John Horner prayed at the Western Wall in Jerusalem and sought a mission.

His request was answered that October when he was called to serve as rector at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 323 Wick Ave.

The time has come for him to answer another call. The Rev. Mr. Horner is retiring. He’s spent more than 30 years in the ministry — dividing his time between what he termed his church family and family of origin. Now the time has come for him to focus on the latter.

His church family and friends honored the rector at a celebration Wednesday with a Celtic service followed by a dinner. He will conduct his final church services at St. John’s at 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

Since coming to the city, Mr. Horner said he feels there have been “tremendous changes” and a “lot of progress.”

“St. John’s has been a part of that. We’re a downtown church,” he said. The church itself, he noted, now reflects the city itself. “The multiracial membership comes from different parts of the city.”

Mr. Horner also pointed out how the church is involved in the community. “When I first came, there was no organization for Smoky Hollow. We formed Wick Neighbors,” he said.

Wick Neighbors, which includes educational, religious and cultural institutions, is an independent, non-profit community development corporation charged with spearheading the Wick District-Smoky Hollow mixed-use urban neighborhood development. “Though the mortgage mess has gotten in the way, interest in Smoky Hollow development continues,” Mr. Horner said. “The purpose to create a community effort of neighbors in an urban environment remains.”

Mr. Horner pointed out Smoky Hollow’s rich history as the site where immigrants settled in Youngstown. “It was a rich immigrant neighborhood,” he said, noting that it can be vibrant once again. “There is a rebirth ... a renaissance of Youngstown under way.”

“Another big thing is that we know and love our neighbors,” he said. “It’s helped the church become more a part of Youngstown,” Mr. Horner said of St. John’s involvement in Wick Neighbors. “We understand that our welfare is connected to our neighbors.”

“We have a much closer relationship with YSU and have an active campus ministry, Thinking Christians,” he said. The group is led by the Rev. Jeremiah Williamson, St. John’s curate, and church members.

As much as St. John’s is a part of the present and will be part of the future of the city, it is a testament to the past.

“I’m proud of how the church stands in old tradition,” Mr. Horner said. For centuries, he said, churches were one of the first institutions established. “They are the most constant institutions in the city,” he noted.

Mr. Horner, who noted St. John’s would mark its 150th anniversary this year, said, “My first love has been the urban city church.”

He described St. John’s and other churches as “anchor institutions” in city neighborhoods. He said their steady presence and source of help provide a “constant” and should counter the fact that such places often are “taken for granted.”

“The Christian faith is about the future,” Mr. Horner said. “The church understands the value and importance of community.”

An example of that is St. John’s place as an integral part of the combined effort among churches and nonprofit agencies to provide a hot meal seven days a week in different sides of the city. “We’re part of the Sunday feeding program through the Red Door Cafe,” he noted. “People have a greater sense of working together.”

Another popular community event, the 48th annual Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival, took place Jan. 4.

St. John’s also schedules regular healing services, which Mr. Horner described as “well-attended.” The uplifting services also offer laying-on-of-hands as prayers are said. Mr. Horner said Tuesday and Wednesday morning prayers also are offered.

Mr. Horner said over the years he has observed changes in people. “The great differences aren’t so much ... there’s a much lighter approach ...,” he said. “Among Muslims, Christians and Jews, there is not a separate deity but one God.”

“People deeply engaged in their faith, as opposed to those shallowly engaged, are more tolerant and willing to talk with people of other faiths,” he said. “I think religious instruction is still the best antidote to animosity between people.

“I believe it’s God’s will that we learn from and love another,” he said.

Mr. Horner said St. John’s is no different from many mainstream faiths experiencing change. “We’ve buried a generation,” he said, but countered that youth matters in the 500-member church. “We treasure our children ... they light up the church.”

The rector said he and his wife, Annette, will miss the city church and the people. They will be relocating to North Carolina in the Durham area.

Mr. Horner noted that at this time in their lives, it was important for them to be close to their children and grandson. He added that siblings also live nearby.

Though he’ll be away from the Mahoning Valley, Mr. Horner said, “I’ll be pulling for Youngstown.”