Rev. Susan Russell     

A life-long Episcopalian, Susan is currently on staff at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena where she is the Senior Associate for Education and Communication. Additionally, she serves as Executive Director of Claiming the Blessing – a national collaborative ministry focused on the full inclusion of the GLBT baptized into the Episcopal Church. A California native, her family includes her partner Louise, two sons (ages 20 and 23) two dogs and three cats. Susan also serves as Community Manager for the Every Voice Network and is the President of Integrity USA. She is an ENFJ, a second soprano and a second-generation Los Angeles Dodger fan.

CLAIMING the BLESSING (CTB) is an intentional collaborative ministry of leading Episcopal justice organizations (including Integrity, Oasis, Beyond Inclusion and the Episcopal Women's Caucus) in partnership with Witness magazine, the Every Voice Network and many individual leaders in the Episcopal Church. The collaborative is focused on promoting wholeness in human relationships, abolishing prejudice and oppression, and healing the rift between sexuality and spirituality in the Church.  

The group’s initial commitment was obtaining approval of a liturgical blessing of the faithful, monogamous relationship between two adults of any gender at

General Convention 2003. The results were historic, and CTB was instrumental in making that history happen:

Resolution C051 was passed, recognizing for the first time that "local faith communities are operating within the bounds of our common life as they explore and experience liturgies celebrating and blessing same-sex unions." 

Gene Robinson was confirmed by General Convention and consecrated Bishop Coadjutor in the Diocese of New Hampshire: the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion.  In the media frenzy that followed, CTB had the amazing opportunity to talk about the Good News of a church that celebrates diversity in everything from the O'Reilly Factor to the Today Show: an unprecedented opportunity for evangelism. 

All Saints' Episcopal Church is renowned for its strong commitment to social justice.  The vision statement for the parish includes a call :

To embody God's unlimited and inclusive love that embraces, liberates and empowers people, whoever they are and wherever they find themselves on the journey of faith.

To live out Christ's vision of unlimited love that empowers new life, not only for children, youth and adults within our membership, but with other neighbors, especially those who suffer from violence, injustice and bigotry.

 + + +

Susan may be reached by email at revsusanrussell@earthlink.net .