The Rev. Dr. Robin A. Reed, Rector
Robin first found Jesus as a teenager while attending summer camp in Algonquin Park, Ontario.
After completing high school, she attended Ohio Wesleyan University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree. As a freshman, she was baptized in the United Methodist Church. Little did she know at the time that God had a wonderful plan for her to lead others to Christ.
Robin went on to earn her Master’s degree and Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology before her commission in the Naval Reserve. Earning the rank of Lieutenant Commander, Medical Corps Service Officer, she served on active duty for six years as a clinical psychologist at Naval hospitals in Bethesda and Camp Pendleton as well as at the Naval Station in San Diego.
Along the way, God blessed Robin with a first marriage and two daughters. After Robin and her first husband’s military service, the family moved to Sewanee, Tenn., where Robin served as a Sunday school teacher in the United Methodist Church.
As a clinical psychologist, she was fascinated with the integration of psychology and theology and pursued and received a degree in Pastoral Counseling in 1997. She felt God was calling her to provide counseling services to Christians, seminarians and clergy.
Robin was led to the Episcopal Church, where she confirmed her faith in 2007 after participating in a catechumenate program offered by The University of the South. Robin then began serving as a lay person at her local parish, Otey Memorial Parish. Then God called her again to discernment to the priesthood and to move to the Diocese of Central Florida to be near her family.
In 2016, she attended Asbury Seminary in Orlando part time for two years, while working full time with the Veteran’s Administration. After meeting and marrying her second husband, Mike, the couple attended Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria. Robin graduated with her Masters of Divinity in May of 2021. In February and August of that year, she was ordained to transitional diaconate and priesthood, respectively.
Rev. Robin came to St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Lake Placid in June 2021 to serve as Deacon in Charge before becoming Rector of the church in August of that year.
Rev. Robin+ feels her most important role is pastor – to be a good shepherd of God’s sheep and walk with parishioners daily. Warm and genuine with a wonderful sense of humor, Rev. Robin values knowing everyone’s name, nurturing deep connections with parishioners and being available to provide spiritual support in times of need. Parishioners appreciate her thoughtful and insightful sermons that offer historical context, relevance in today’s broken world, and the promise of hope and salvation through faith in Christ.
Rev. Robin feels immensely blessed for a supportive spouse and parish, two adult daughters, a son-in-law, mother and a positive, synergetic relationship with Deacon Rev. Rose Sapp-Bax, who is the “yin to her yang.”
Rev. Robin’s aspirations for St. Frances are to sustain its legacy as a warm, welcoming and inclusive parish for all people and to continue sharing the Good News of Christ through worship and outreach ministries. She hopes to build a blessing ministry for the church in the local community and welcome new young adults and families to our parish to share the “Good News” of Christ.