The Rev. Judith Ferguson, Pastor at Holy Innocents’, Highland Falls, and St. Mark’s, Fort Montgomery, has a lot on her plate, but she is more than happy to have it that way.

Growing up as an independent Baptist in Newtown Square, PA, Ferguson never considered joining the ranks of the Episcopal clergy, though she was very interested in ministry. She studied at the Philadelphia College of Bible but decided to start a career in her second favorite subject — film — since at that time women were not being ordained in Baptist churches.

“I loved the arts and was always drawn toward movies,” Ferguson explained, “but I would have been a minister if I could have.”

After college, Ferguson moved to New York City and studied at the graduate school for film at New York University. Upon finishing her degree, Ferguson joined the Directors Guild of America and began working as an Assistant Director on films by Woody Allen, among others.

In the late 1980s as the number of films shooting in New York dwindled and many in the industry moved to Los Angeles, Ferguson was pulled in a different direction.

“I felt God calling me to do what I originally planned on doing,” she said.

After having finished film school, a friend introduced Ferguson to All Angels’ in Manhattan, and that is where she decided to join the Episcopal Church. Ferguson then attended St. George’s, Manhattan, whose rector, the Rev. Dr. Thomas Pike, helped Ferguson begin the process of the holy orders to become an Episcopal priest.

“I loved the liturgy, the Eucharist, the different services,” she explained. “Right away, I knew I was home. It felt right to me. And I enjoy the more liberal side of social issues and theology.”

Ferguson then became a seminarian at the University of South in Sewanee, TN. After finishing, Ferguson worked at St. Mark’s in Honey Brook, PA, before joining the Diocese of New York at St. Mary’s Chappaqua, and then St. John’s, Larchmont, where she was Assistant to Curate for more than three years.

It was two-and-a-half years ago that Ferguson took her current position at Holy Innocents’, Highland Falls that changed the focus of her ministry in ways she never would have imagined. In addition to her duties as pastor, Ferguson became the Episcopal Civilian Chaplain for the United States Military Academy at West Point, located not far from Highland Falls. Although she had no personal experience with the military, the new position seemed to fit. “I felt this is where God was calling me,” Ferguson said.

As chaplain, Ferguson has a variety of responsibilities. The cadets, whose time is strictly regimented, are allowed to attend Ferguson’s services at Holy Innocents’ on Sundays.

She and two professors, Col. Joe Manous and Cpt. Larry Dillard, provide ministry through the Canterbury Club, the Academy’s Episcopal campus ministry program. When Ferguson started, the club had eight to 12 members and has since grown to 35. The club hosts Bible studies, speakers like Bishop Mark Sisk, and presentations on theological topics. Club members also participate in community service projects during weekends with Habitat for Humanity and at the parish’s soup kitchen. She, Manous and Dillard also plan two retreats per year, one in the summer and one in the winter. She also conducts Episcopal church services at West Point when they are requested, such as for weddings or funerals for alumni.

Another important responsibility Ferguson has at West Point is to counsel any cadets that might be having problems and wish to speak with her. She is available to counsel the cadets throughout the year, whether by e-mail or visitation, including during the difficult time of basic training in the summer. She said that initially the cadets come to her with homesickness, problems adjusting to the rigorous schedule or difficulties making friends. Later, the focus changes to social and relationship issues or problems with studies. Cadets can also talk to her freely about honor issues because of the confidentiality of the talks.

In terms of reconciling religion with military service, Ferguson said, “Most deal with that before they come.” The cadets and military personnel are “doing it for the greater good of the country. They vow to protect and serve … doing the greater good for people who can’t do it themselves.”

When dealing with that issue with students, Ferguson said she always addresses the questions of where God is in tragedy. But she always emphasizes to the cadets, “God is in control. There is randomness, but in the midst of randomness there is a plan that is too far beyond us to understand. Know that there is always hope, always the future.”

Influenced by the Vietnam era, Ferguson explained that she had always questioned authority. Now, she said, “I have greater respect for people serving in military because I know the people, the families. They are wonderful, faithful honorable people committed to serving country and being very true to that.

“I hope that the people who make decisions use them well,” she said. For this reason, she added, voters have the important responsibility to be vigilant when choosing leadership.

“When you’re a priest, you have to take a middle road,” she added. “There are people on all sides of the issues, and we have to walk a middle way, allow everybody to voice opinions, say what they need to say and love each other in the midst of different views and opinions.

“There are people in military that are more liberal politically or socially or theologically, and there are those that are more conservative, just like with anybody else.” Ferguson explained that in her role as a minister, it isn’t her position to “come down on either side, and that is the brilliance of the Episcopal Church.”

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