About The Rev. TJ Humphrey, Rector

Fr. TJ Humphrey

Fr TJ Humphrey is originally from the southeast Missouri area. After having graduated from college he served as a youth minister in another tradition for seven years in St. Louis. While he was in college, he discovered the Episcopal Church, and his sense of calling to the priesthood deepened over the course of those seven years. He eventually found his way ‘home.’

He and his family moved to Wisconsin so that he could study at Nashotah House Theological Seminary. It was during that time that he was able to get connected with the Diocese of Milwaukee. The highlight of his time in seminary was the summer he was able to study under the hermits of New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, California. Fr TJ experienced a profound awakening during this time, and came to the realization that the world needs more priests who are steeped in contemplative spirituality. It was during this time that he also developed a passion for helping Christianity to recover its long lost wisdom tradition.

In his final year of seminary he was nominated to attend the Episcopal Church’s Preaching Excellence Program. Later he found out that he and a few other students were selected to have their sermons published. Shortly after graduating from seminary, Fr TJ was hired by the good people of St Paul’s to serve as their next priest.

Fr TJ is married, and he and his spouse have two children. He is an avid hockey fan (Let’s Go Blues!). He also loves going on back-country backpacking trips, listening to music, sipping on good bourbon, playing Legos with his children, discussing good (or not so good) books with his spouse, and spending as much time as each day will allow in contemplative prayer.

Fr TJ’s theological passions are centered on the Christian contemplative tradition and ancient Hebraic temple mysticism, and much of this passion comes out in his preaching and teaching. He once had a professor in college tell him to ‘preach where the fire burns,’ and he has sought to do just that ever since.

Contact: frtjhumphrey@gmail.com

About The Rev. Gregg Schneider, Deacon

Rev. Gregg Schneider

I grew up in the Roman Catholic Church, left the church for 12 years. A friend brought me back to the Lutheran Church (ELCA). I switched to the Episcopal Church after meeting my wife in 1993. I started my training to become a deacon in the Diocese of Fond du Lac in 2000, then transferred to the Diocese of North Carolina in 2002. I was ordained by Bishop Michael Curry on June 13, 2004.  

 I served at The Prince of Peace in Apex NC until moving back to Wisconsin at the end of 2007. I have been at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church since early 2008.

 I worked in Special Education as a teacher and administrator for over 40 years when I retired in January of 2018.

Contact: deacongregg.stpauls@gmail.com

About The Louise Austin, Deacon

Rev. Louise Austin

Hello and Peace of Christ be with you!

I am a life-long Episcopalian with historical membership ties in both Trinity

Episcopal Church in Janesville, WI and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Beloit, WI.

I grew up in Kirkwood, MO (a suburb of St. Louis), was married, divorced, have 4

grown children and 8 grandchildren scattered in different parts of the country. I

have lived in St. Paul, MN, Spooner, WI, Menomonie, WI, and Janesville, WI

before joining Peace Corps as a non-traditional Volunteer, serving in both

Macedonia (now North Macedonia) and Romania. Upon my return to the U.S.

following my Peace Corps work, I went back to school to get a WI teacher license

and taught high school social studies for several years in Marion, WI. Upon

retirement, I moved to Beloit, WI to be near my youngest grandchildren, did some

substitute teaching, and lots of volunteer work. I am delighted to be serving as

deacon for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Trinity Episcopal Church!

Contact: louiseaustin2002@yahoo.com